Opinion ID: 1857750
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Count I The Boxie/Stoot Matter

Text: Respondent represented Mary Boxie in a real estate transaction wherein she purchased property in Opelousas from Joseph Stoot, a resident of California. In April 2000, Ms. Boxie gave respondent a $4,500 check for the purchase of the property. Respondent deposited the check into his personal bank account. Respondent then issued a check from his personal account payable to Mr. Stoot in the amount of $4,155. However, the check was returned for insufficient funds, causing several of Mr. Stoot's own checks to be returned. Respondent subsequently made restitution to Mr. Stoot for the NSF check, plus an additional $100. In May 2000, Mr. Stoot filed a complaint against respondent with the ODC. In March 2001, respondent gave a sworn statement to the ODC in which he agreed under oath to provide certain documentation within thirty days, including the bank records reflecting his handling of the Boxie/Stoot funds. Respondent failed to provide the documentation. The ODC later obtained the bank records of respondent's personal account and discovered overdrafts and negative balances in the account during the time that respondent maintained the Boxie/Stoot funds. The ODC alleges that respondent's conduct violated Rules 1.15(a) (a lawyer shall hold property of clients or third persons that is in a lawyer's possession in connection with a representation separate from the lawyer's own property), 8.4(c) (engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation), and 8.4(g) (failure to cooperate with the ODC in its investigation) of the Rules of Professional Conduct.