NOTICE OF SUSPENSION Case No. 94-233-GA Anthony A. Muraski, P-31462, Ann Arbor, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board affirming Washtenaw County Hearing Panel #2's Order of Suspension.
1) Suspension - three (3) years; 2) Effective June 6, 1995. Respondent was retained to represent the plaintiff in a personal injury matter. The matter was settled for $22,500. The amount due the plaintiff, after the deduction of costs and attorney fees, was $14,329.39. Respondent admitted that he failed to advise his client of his receipt of the settlement proceeds; misappropria-ted the funds due his client; misrepresented to his client that he had not yet received the monies; falsely advised his client that the settlement funds were not available for disbursement; and issued checks in various amounts to his client totalling approximately $10,000 which he defined as "loans", which actually constituted repayment of the monies misappropriated from the settlement funds. Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.104(1)-(4); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.4(a); 1.8(a)(1)-(3); 1.15(a)-(c); and 8.4(a)-(c).
Respondent filed a petition for review and request for stay of discipline. The request for stay was denied by the Attorney Discipline Board. On October 27, 1995, the Board entered an order affirming the three-year suspension. Respondent filed a motion for reconsideration, which was denied by the Board in an order entered December 18, 1995. Respondent filed an application for leave to appeal, which was denied by the Michigan Supreme Court in an order entered March 29, 1996. Costs were assessed in the total amount of $383.17.