MEMBERS LOUANN VAN DER WIELE CHAIRPERSON REV. MICHAEL MURRAY VICE-CHAIRPERSON DULCE M. FULLER SECRETARY JAMES A. FINK JOHN W. INHULSEN JONATHAN E. LAUDERBACH BARBARA WILLIAMS FORNEY KAREN D. O'DONOGHUE MICHAEL B. RIZIK, JR.
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
211 WEST FORT STREET, SUITE 1410
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226·3236 PHONE: 313·963·5553 I FAX: 313·963·5571
MARK A. ARMITAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
WENDY A. NEELEY DEPUTY DIRECTOR
KAREN M. DALEY ASSOCIATE COUNSEL
SHERRY L. MIFSUD OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER
OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER
JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONISTISECRETARY
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION Case No. 14-123-GA Notice Issued: June 6, 2017 Geoffrey L. Craig, P 46554, Detroit, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #12.
Suspension - 180 Days, Effective December 22, 2015. The Grievance Administrator filed Formal Complaint 14-123-GA alleging that respondent committed professional misconduct when acting as a conservator for his father by failing to file a complete inventory or final account; failing to respond to the court's notice of suspension of his conservatorship; breaching his fiduciary duty; failing to turn over the remaining conservatorship funds in the amount of $62,500; and failing to pay the surcharge to the surety company for the cancellation of the bond. Based on respondent's default for failure to file an answer to the formal complaint and the exhibits offered into evidence, the panel found that respondent neglected a legal matter, in violation of MRPC 1.1 (c); failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in violation of MRPC 1.3; knowingly disobeyed an obligation under the rules of a tribunal, in violation of MRPC 3.4(c); failed to notify a client or third person when funds in which a client or third person has an interest are received, in violation of MRPC 1.15(b)(1); and failed to promptly payor deliver funds that a client or third person is entitled to receive, in violation of MRPC 1.15(b)(3). Respondent was also found to have violated MRPC 8.4(a)-(c) and MCR 9.104(1 )-(4).
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for 180 days, effective December 22, 2015, and that he pay restitution to Western Surety in the amount of $62,500.00. The Grievance Administrator filed a petition for review December 16, 2015, requesting an increase of the discipline imposed by the panel.
The Attorney Discipline Board has conducted review proceedings in accordance with MCR 9.118, including review of the evidentiary record before the panel, consideration of the parties' briefs and arguments presented by the parties at the review hearing. The Board affirmed the hearing panel's order of a 180-day suspension of respondent's license to practice law and the restitution to be paid to Western Surety. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,854.00.
~a~ M~rk A. Armitage
Executive Director