MEMBERS JONATHAN E. LAUDERBACH CHAIRPERSON MICHAEL B. RIZIK, JR. VICE-CHAIRPERSON BARBARA WILLIAMS FORNEY
SECRETARY JAMES A. FINK JOHN W. INHULSEN
KAREN D. O'DONOGHUE LINDA S. HOTCHKISS, MD
ANNA FRUSHOUR MICHAEL S. HOHAUSER
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
333 WEST FORT STREET, SUITE 1700
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3147 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 MIFSUD OFFICE ADMINISTRA TOR
ALLY SON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER
OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER
JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONISTISECRETARY
NOTICE OF DISBARMENT (By Consent)
Case No. 19-61-GA
Notice Issued: October 22, 2019
Joseph E. Baessler, P 23968, Flint, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Genesee County Hearing Panel #3.
Disbarment, Effective October 19, 2019
The respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a Stipulation for Consent Order of Disbarment, in accordance with MCR 9.115(F)(5), which was approved by the Attorney Grievance Commission and accepted by the hearing panel. The stipulation contained respondent's admissions that he committed professional misconduct in his capacity as an appointed conservator for an incapacitated individual from 1984 through April 14, 2018, when it was discovered that respondent had paid himself from the conservatorship without first seeking compensation from Farmers Insurance within the permissible time periods; failed to file Annual Accounts of Fiduciary to hide his use of the conservatorship funds and to keep his use of the funds from the court's scrutiny; embezzled money from his client; and breached his fiduciary duty as a conservator.
Based upon respondent's admissions and the stipulation of the parties, the panel found that respondent failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client, in violation of MRPC 1.3; collected a clearly illegal or excessive fee, in violation of MRPC 1.5(a); and engaged in conduct that violated a criminal law of a state or of the United States, in violation of MCR 9.104(5). Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(1 )-(3); and MRPC 8.4(b) (c).
In accordance with the stipulation of the parties, the hearing panel ordered that respondent be disbarred from the practice of law in Michigan. Costs were assessed in the amount of $757.14. 'hd a
Mark A. Armitage Executive Director