Opinion ID: 1702504
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Count III: Issuing a Worthless Check

Text: On January 8, 1988, the respondent executed a promissory note for $25,000 and mortgage securing payment of such promissory note with United Mortgage Company. On March 22, 1988, R.R. Darwin became the holder of the note and mortgage by an assignment. The respondent owed Darwin a $403.34 payment on the note by May 31, 1988, which the respondent paid with a worthless check. On June 17, 1989, Darwin informed the respondent that the bank had returned the check for insufficient funds. The respondent issued another check which Darwin refused, preferring to accept cash, a cashier's check or money order to replace the worthless check. The respondent failed to pay Darwin monies due for the months of May, June, and July 1988. A Notice of Lis Pendens was filed on August 23, 1988. The respondent then made the mortgage payments after the filing of a civil complaint for foreclosure of the mortgage and the filing of a complaint with The Florida Bar. The referee found the respondent guilty of violating Rules Regulating The Florida Bar 3-4.3 (commission of any act which is unlawful or contrary to honesty and justice), 4-8.4(b) (criminal act that reflects adversely on a lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects), and 4-8.4(c) (conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation).