Opinion ID: 1227779
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Fabricated Letters

Text: Strong, if not indisputable, circumstantial evidence establishes that the respondent fabricated letters to try to justify his position and excuse his negligent handling of legal matters entrusted to him. A substantial number of documents were fabricated. Mintz v. Premier Cab Association, Inc., 127 F.2d 744 (D.C.Cir.1942), provides an answer to the respondent's claim that the fabrication of exhibits was not proven: A jury may discount or disregard testimony which runs counter to normal experience.... Fortuitous events of a given sort are less likely to happen repeatedly than once. The fact that a witness has told several stories involving similar fortuitous events tends, therefore, to create a conflict between his testimony and normal experience. Id. at 744 (footnote omitted). The hearing board concluded that the respondent's submission of false documents to the grievance committee violated C.R.C.P. 241.6(7) and DR 1-102(A)(1) (violation of a disciplinary rule), DR 1-102(A)(4) (conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation), and DR 1-102(A)(5) (conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice). Compare People v. Susman, 196 Colo. 458, 587 P.2d 782 (1978), with People v. Klein, 179 Colo. 408, 500 P.2d 1181 (1972). Marital difficulties, computer problems, and partnership disputes were offered by way of mitigation. In our view, nothing in the record serves to mitigate or justify the violations of professional responsibility that the respondent committed. Accordingly, given the severity of the ethical violations committed by the respondent, but considering the absence of previous discipline, the court orders that the respondent be suspended for three years and that costs in the amount of $2,828.04 be assessed against the respondent and paid to the Supreme Court Grievance Committee, 600 17th Street, Suite 500 South, Denver, Colorado 80202, within sixty days from the date of the announcement of this opinion.