NOTICE OF SUSPENSION Case No. 96-287-GA Notice Issued: December 11, 2002 George T. Krupp, P-16269, Grand Rapids, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board modifying the findings of Kent County Hearing Panel #1 but otherwise affirming the hearing panel=s order of discipline.
1. Suspension - 90 days; 2. Effective December 9, 2002. The hearing panel found, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the respondent made a knowing misrepresentation to a court and to opposing counsel concerning the authorship of a letter purportedly written on his client=s behalf by a psychiatrist and that the respondent subsequently obstructed opposing counsel=s access to that letter. The Grievance Administrator and the respondent petitioned for review of the hearing panel=s decision to impose a suspension of 90 days. On review, the Attorney Discipline Board vacated the hearing panel=s finding that the respondent unlawfully obstructed another party=s access to evidence in violation of MRPC 3.4(a) but affirmed the panel=s findings that the respondent=s conduct was in violation of MCR 9.104(1)-(4); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 3.3(a)(1) and (4); 3.4(b); 4.1; and 8.4(a)-(c). Upon consideration of the aggravating and mitigating factors identified by the hearing panel, the Board declined to modify the 90 day suspension ordered by the panel. Finally, the Board ruled that the hearing panel did not err in refusing to consider polygraph results offered by the respondent during the panel proceedings. Costs were assessed in the amount of $6,649.53.
The respondent=s application for leave to appeal was denied by the Supreme Court in an order entered December 4, 2002.