Opinion ID: 2569696
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Williams Complaint

Text: On August 29, 1998, Sachse was retained by Norma Williams to represent her son, Troy Johnson, in a parole matter. Norma Williams provided Sachse with some documents and paid Sachse a $500 retainer. When Sachse failed to respond to numerous letters from Johnson regarding his parole application, Johnson asked for a refund of the retainer and return of his documents. On November 5, 1998, Sachse left a message with Johnson's father, indicating that he would return the $500 retainer. Johnson's father called Sachse and left a message asking that the check be mailed. Sachse did not return the retainer. On November 25, 1998, Williams sent a letter to Chair of the Wyandotte County Ethics Committee, complaining that Sachse had not returned the unearned retainer fee. The investigator sent Sachse a letter dated December 31, 1998, requesting a response within 10 days. Sachse did not respond to the letter. The investigator left a message at Sachse's office on January 5, 1999, asking Sachse to respond to the complaint. Sachse failed to respond. An investigative report was submitted to the Disciplinary Administrator's office on January 19, 1999. Sachse again provided a one-page response to Disciplinary Administrator's office on February 17, 1999. On December 14, 1998, Williams complained to the Disciplinary Administrator. The Disciplinary Administrator notified Sachse of the complaint and urged him to resolve the matter and notify the Disciplinary Administrator's office upon doing so. Sachse made no response to the Disciplinary Administrator. The Disciplinary Administrator filed a complaint, alleging that Sachse did not handle the matter competently or with diligence, did not communicate with the client, and failed to return an unearned retainer and documents in his possession. Sachse stipulated to the facts alleged in the formal complaint and admits the violations alleged by the Disciplinary Administrator.