NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION Case Nos. 98-122-GA; 98-148-FA Robert L. Tank, P-46545, Livonia, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #2.
1) Suspension - One Year; 2) Effective November 10, 1998.1 Respondent was retained to represent the complainants in their purchase of a modular home. A breach of contract action involving the modular home was subsequently filed against the complainants in Macomb County Circuit Court. The panel found, by default, that respondent neglected the matter; made false statements to the complainants; made false statements to members of his law firm regarding the complainants' matter; failed to answer the Request for Investigation; and failed to answer the Formal Complaints. Respondent also failed to appear at the disciplinary hearing.
The panel concluded that respondent's conduct violated MCR 9.103(C); MCR 9.104(1)-(4) and (7); MCR 9.113(A) and (B)(2); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(a)-(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4; 4.1; 8.1(b); and 8.4(a)-(c).
The panel ordered that respondent be suspended from the practice of law for one year and make restitution to the complainants in the sum of $1,333.40. Costs were assessed in the amount of $156.53.
____________________ 1 Respondent was also suspended from the practice of law for failure to pay his annual dues to the State Bar of Michigan from February 20, 1998 to approximately May 27, 1998. He was also suspended for failure to pay disciplinary costs assessed in the Order of Reprimand entered in Case Nos. 97-287-GA; 97-314-FA, effective May 26, 1998. That suspension remains in effect.