Court Opinion

ID: 4102048
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-11-23 18:08:10.767943+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:46:08.190614
License: Public Domain

STATE OF MINNESOTA
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                                                                           November 16, 2016
                                  IN SUPREME COURT                            OHB:iEOF
                                                                          APPB.lAlECcuns
                                         Al5-0536

In re Petition for Disciplinary Action against
Troy Allen Van Beek, a Minnesota Attorney,
Registration No. 0318462.

                                        ORDER

       The Director of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility filed a petition

for disciplinary action alleging that respondent Troy Allen Van Beek has committed

professional misconduct warranting public discipline-namely, engaging in conduct with

no substantial purpose other than to embarrass or burden a third person; holding himself

out as authorized to practice law while fee suspended and on voluntary continuing-legal-

education restricted status; making false or misleading statements; failing to cooperate

with the disciplinary process; and failing to file individual income-tax returns for 5 years.

See Minn. R. Prof. Conduct 4.4, 5.5(b), 7.1, 8.1(b), 8.4(c), 8.4(d). Respondent waived his

procedural rights under Rule 14, Rules on Lawyers Professional Responsibility (RLPR),

withdrew his previously filed answer, and unconditionally admitted the allegations in the

petition.   As evidence of mitigating factors, respondent provided the Director with

evidence regarding his alcoholism and mental-health issues. The parties recommended

that the appropriate disposition is a public reprimand and that respondent be transferred

to disability-inactive status. See Rule 28(a), RLPR.

       On September 21, 2016, we issued an order temporarily suspending respondent

because the parties agreed his substance-abuse and mental-health issues rendered him

unable to competently represent clients at this time. In re Van Beek, No. A15-0536,
Order at 2-3 (Minn. filed Sept. 2 I, 20 16).        We explained that attorneys are often

suspended for failing to file income-tax returns. !d. at 1-2. We also noted that the parties

had not provided us with information regarding the connection between respondent's

misconduct and his substance-abuse and mental-health issues. !d. at 2. We ordered the

parties to file memoranda showing cause why respondent "should not be subject to more

severe discipline than a public reprimand" and addressing how respondent's

"misconduct, including specifically his failure to file income-tax returns, is connected, if

at all, to his chemical-dependency and mental-health issues." !d. at 3.

       The parties have now filed memoranda in response to our order to show cause and

have provided the court with additional infmmation about Van Beek's substance-abuse

and mental-health issues.        Van Beek has also filed an amended motion to submit

documents under seal. The Director does not object to this amended motion.

       The court has independently reviewed the file, and in light of mitigating factors

present, agrees that Van Beek should be publicly reprimanded for his misconduct. The

court further agrees that Van Beek' s substance-abuse and mental-health issues prevent

him from competently representing clients and that Van Beek should be transferred to

disability-inactive status. See Rule 28(a), RLPR.

       Based upon all the files, records, and proceedings herein,

       IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:

       1.      Respondent Troy Allen Van Beek is publicly reprimanded and transferred

to disability-inactive status.

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         2.   Respondent shall comply with Rule 26, RLPR (requiring notice of transfer

to disability-inactive status to clients, opposing counsel, and tribunals), and shall pay

$900 in costs pursuant to Rule 24, RLPR.

         3.   Respondent may petition for reinstatement, and his petition shall be

governed by Rules 18 and 28(d), RLPR. Reinstatement is conditioned on successful

completion of the written examination that is required for admission to the practice of law

by the State Board of Law Examiners on the subject of professional responsibility;

satisfaction of continuing legal education requirements pursuant to Rule 18( e), RLPR;

and filing all required state and federal tax returns, including individual and employer

withholding returns, and payment of any taxes due thereon or entrance into agreements

satisfactory to the Internal Revenue Service and the Minnesota Department of Revenue

for the payment of all such taxes.

         4.   Respondent's amended motion to submit documents under seal is granted.

The Clerk of the Appellate Courts shall designate exhibits 5 and 6 to the Director's

October 12, 2016 memorandum oflaw as confidential and exempt from public disclosure

under Rule 20, RLPR.       The portion of the Director's file in this matter containing

respondent's medical records and respondenfs expert report regarding his medical

records shall be designated as confidential and exempt from public disclosure under Rule

20, RLPR. All such records and documents shall remain pmt of the Director's file in this

matter, and the Director may use these documents in any subsequent probation or

disciplinary. disability, reinstatement, or other proceeding in accordance with applicable

rules.

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Dated: November 16, 2016       BY THE COURT:

                               ()~td-
                               David R. Stras
                               Associate Justice

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