NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION WITH CONDITIONS (By Consent)
Case Nos. 00-139-GA; 00-154-FA Notice Issued: December 27, 2000 Cleophas Culp, Jr., Jackson, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Ingham County Hearing Panel #3.
1. Suspension - 30 days. 2. Effective December 20, 2000. The respondent and the Grievance Administrator submitted a stipulation for consent order of discipline in accordance with MCR 9.115(F)(5). The stipulation was approved by the Attorney Grievance Commission and was accepted by the hearing panel. Respondent entered a plea of no contest to the allegations contained in Formal Complaints 00-139-GA and 00-154-FA, to wit: In a parole board appeal, respondent failed to timely file an appeal; failed to inform his clients of his failure to timely file the appeal; failed to return an unearned fee; failed to keep his clients reasonably informed as to the status of their matter; and failed to file an answer to Formal Complaint 00-139-GA served by the Grievance Administrator.
Respondent=s conduct was alleged to be in violation of MCR 9.104(1)-(4) and (7); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4(a) and (b); 1.15(b); 1.16(d); 3.2; 8.1(b); and 8.4(a) and (c). The parties agreed that an order of suspension should be entered. The parties also agreed to the payment of restitution and certain conditions relevant to the established misconduct.
The hearing panel ordered that respondent=s license be suspended for 30 days with conditions relevant to the established misconduct. The panel also ordered that respondent pay restitution in the amount of $3,000. Costs were assessed in the amount of $220.90.