NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION (By Consent)
Case No. 95-266-GA Georgia D. Manzie, P-42614, Detroit, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #7.
1) Suspension - two (2) years; 2) Effective April 3, 1996. Respondent was retained by an inmate to file a motion for relief from judgment. The client later executed a durable power of attorney giving respondent power and control over his annuity account to establish a trust account for his benefit. Payments totalling approximately $7,000 were forwarded to respondent from the annuity account for deposit into the trust account. Respondent opened a bank account, into which the funds were deposited. Respondent pled nolo contendere to allegations that she failed to maintain client funds in an account identified as a trust account; commingled client funds with personal funds; failed to account for $4,000 of funds belonging to her client upon demand; and failed to answer the Request for Investigation. Respondent was retained by another inmate to pursue a grievance against the Michigan Department of Corrections. Respondent pled nolo contendere to allegations that she neglected the matter and failed to answer the Request for Investigation. Respondent was retained by another inmate to file a motion for relief from judgment. Respondent pled nolo contendere to allegations that she neglected the matter and failed to answer the Request for Investigation.
Respondent's conduct was alleged to be in violation of 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); 1.3; 1.4; 1.15(a)-(c); 3.2; 8.1(b); and 8.4(a)-(c).
The parties stipulated that respondent be suspended from the practice of law in Michigan for two years and make restitution to one client in the amount of $4,000. Costs were assessed in the amount of $349.86.