NOTICE OF REVOCATION AND RESTITUTION Case Nos. 93-282-GA; 94-18-FA William C. Hoffman, P-15047, Saginaw, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Genesee County Hearing Panel #3.
1) Revocation; 2) Effective May 10, 1994. Respondent failed to answer the formal complaints but appeared at the hearing held in Flint on March 22, 1994. Respondent's default was entered, and the panel determined that the default established the allegations of the formal complaint.
Respondent was retained to represent the purchaser in a real estate transaction. He advised his client to forward him $39,000 to hold in trust pending the closing, and a cashier's check in that amount was forwarded to respondent. Respondent failed to deposit and maintain the funds in a trust account; failed to promptly deliver the funds to which his client was entitled; misappropriated the funds; upon the client's request for return of the funds, made false representations to his client regarding the funds; and, in response to the client's filing of a criminal complaint against him, offered the client $49,000 to drop the criminal complaint.
Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.104(1)-(4)and(6); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.4(a)and(b); 1.15(a)and(b); and 8.4(a)-(c).
The panel ordered that respondent's license be revoked and that he make restitution to his client in the amount of $39,000. Costs were assessed in the amount of $219.63.