NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION ADB 71-89; 82-89 Ethan Vinson, P-26608, Detroit, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board affirming a hearing panel order of suspension and restitution.
1) Suspension - 75 days; 2) Effective February 9, 1990. The respondent failed to answer the formal complaints but appeared at the hearing held in Detroit on August 16, 1989. Respondent's defaults were entered and the hearing panel determined that the defaults established the allegations of the formal complaints.
Respondent was retained to seek leave to appeal a child custody ruling, but made false statements to his clients regarding the status of the case and his intent to refund the retainer fee, made false statements in his answer to the request for investigation, failed to answer further inquiries from the Attorney Grievance Commission, and failed to appear before the Grievance Administrator after being served with a subpoena duces tecum. The hearing panel ordered the respondent to make restitution to his clients in the amount of $300.00 plus interest.
Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.103(C); MCR 9.104(1-4,6,7); MCR 9.113(A); Canon 1 of the Code of Professional Responsibility, DR 1-102(A)(1,4-6); and the Rule of Professional Conduct, 8.4(a-c).
The respondent filed a petition for review seeking modification of the hearing panel order. In an order dated January 18, 1990, the Attorney Discipline Board affirmed the hearing panel order of suspension and restitution. Costs were assessed in the amount of $211.14.