Court Opinion

ID: 6759343
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-21 00:30:00.529157+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:02:32.996258
License: Public Domain

Douglas, J.,
dissenting. From the record in this case it is clear that *161the respondent engaged in a systematic and calculated program of misrepresentation, fraud and deceit to take advantage of three very vulnerable clients. Upon the facts of this case, the board concluded that respondent was guilty of misconduct in that he violated DR 1-102(A)(4), 1-102(A)(6) and 5-104(A). The board also found that the respondent made false and misleading statements under oath during the course of the disciplinary proceeding.
While it is true that Mrs. Hunt had her original $35,000 plus $5,000 interest returned to her, this was only accomplished after she retained a lawyer and then not until January 1985 did she receive her money. Mrs. Hunt was required to pay her attorney $526 to effect recovery from respondent.
With regard to Mr. Dukic, as of the date of hearing, respondent had not returned the $5,800 or paid Mr. Dukic any interest on the “investment.” There is nothing before us which would indicate that Mr. Dukic would ever be able to recover his money.
As to Mrs. Harowski’s “investment,” respondent refused to return her money even though Mrs. Harowski made a specific request in writing and the note given to her by respondent had matured. Mrs. Harowski was required to retain another attorney who eventually had to file a lawsuit for her in an attempt to recover her money. After the complaint was filed, respondent did make a payment of $2,000 to Mrs. Harowski’s attorney and apparently some settlement had been reached where respondent agreed to satisfy Mrs. Harowski’s claim by April 1986. The record, of course, does not contain any information as to whether or not Mrs. Harowski has even yet obtained return of her money.
After considering all of the circumstances, the board has recommended to this court “* * * that Respondent’s misconduct in his relationship with Birdie Hunt, Joseph Dukic and Jeanne Harowski, standing alone, would warrant a suspension from the practice of law for one year. The Board is of the opinion, however[,] that the Respondent also made false and misleading statements under oath during the course of this proceeding and, accordingly, should be indefinitely suspended from the practice of law.”
In view of the record before us, and the recommendation of the board, I am unable to understand the decision of the majority to impose only a one-year suspension. Accordingly, I would adopt the recommendation of the board, and since the majority does not do so, I must respectfully dissent.
Holmes and Wright, JJ., concur in the foregoing dissenting opinion.