Opinion ID: 2637861
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Sandoval/Chavez Matter

Text: In September 1998, Sarah Sandoval retained Hotle to represent her daughter, Georgetta Chavez, in Arapahoe County on a charge of auto theft. She paid the respondent $500 and gave him jewelry valued at $1,100 to secure future payments. Chavez was scheduled to appear before the Arapahoe County District Court on October 9, 1998. Hotle failed to appear in court at the designated time on behalf of Ms. Chavez. Ms. Chavez was forced to obtain the services of a public defender to represent her interests on the criminal charge. Since the time Mrs. Sandoval paid funds and delivered property to Hotle, she has been unable to reach him. Hotle has neither accounted for nor returned the funds or property to Mrs. Sandoval.