193 A.D. 502 | N.Y. App. Div. | 1920
The respondent was admitted to the bar at a term of the Appellate Division, Second Department, in November, 1919, and was practicing in the First Judicial District at the time he committed the acts complained of. The petition alleges that he has been guilty of misconduct as an attorney at law. The first charge is that he converted his client’s money and violated a written stipulation. An action in the Municipal Court had been brought by one Korostoff against the firm of Feig & Adler, a judgment by default had been, obtained by the plaintiff for $159.36, execution had issued and the defendants had paid $83.07 on account thereof to a city marshal. Respondent was thereafter retained by said firm. As a result of negotiations with plaintiff’s attorney, various motions, and a written stipulation, respondent received from the marshal $83,07, from his clients $96.36, aggregating
After the execution of this stipulation the respondent received from his clients the additional sum of $120 to be used by him solely for the purpose of complying with the terms of said stipulation. The respondent used all of these sums for his own purposes. He violated the stipulation. He neither paid the $20 costs to plaintiff’s attorney nor made, the deposit with the clerk. As a consequence judgment was entered against his clients for $236 and a levy was made on their property. He then gave a check of his mother’s which was returned by the bank dishonored, and finally paid by the certified check of a friend. During the period of the negotiations and motions he repeatedly in writing asserted that “ the amount * * * is in my hands and will not be turned over to any other person pending a decision upon this motion.” In an affidavit he swore: “ This deponent has in his possession the sum of $236 necessary to deposit in this Court.” These statements were false. It is established that he converted his client’s money to his own use, made false statements in regard thereto and broke his written stipulation. The learned official referee reported “ the acts of the respondent, established by the evidence constitute misconduct and I so find.” The fact that there was no ultimate loss by his clients does not excuse or palliate respondent’s conduct. Disciplinary proceedings are not entertained by this court for collection purposes, nor does restitution reinstate character.
We are of the opinion that respondent’s conduct as shown by the record demonstrates complete indifference to the basic obligations of an honorable profession. He not only violated an agreement to a brother practitioner, almost as soon as made, which agreement was for adequate consideration, namely, the withholding of the docketing of a judgment, but induced or acquiesced in the execution of a fraudulent conveyance, and then gave false testimony in regard thereto. •
The record discloses no adequate excuse or justification. \
Dowling, Smith, Merrell and Greeneaum, JJ., concur.
Bespondent disbarred. Settle order on notice.