MEMBERS LOUANN VAN DER WIELE
CHAIRPERSON REV. MICHAEL MURRAY VICE-CHAIRPERSON DULCE M. FULLER SECRETARY JAMES A. FINK JOHN W. INHULSEN JONATHANE.LAUDERBACH BARBARA WILLIAMS FORNEY
KAREN D. O'DONOGHUE MICHAEL B. RIZIK, JR.
STATE OF MICHIGAN
ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
211 WEST FORT STREET, SUITE 1410
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3236 PHONE: 313-963-5553 I FAX: 313-963-5571
MARK A. ARMITAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
WENDY A. NEELEY DEPUTY DIRECTOR KAREN M. DALEY ASSOCIATE COUNSEL SHERRY L. MIFSUD OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER
OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONISTISECRETARY
NOTICE OF REPRIMAND AND RESTITUTION WITH CONDITIONS Case Nos. 17-27-JC; 17-28-GA Notice Issued: September 15,2017 Jason P. Ronning, P 64779, Hudsonville, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Kent County Hearing Panel #3.
Reprimand, Effective September 15, 2017 Respondent was convicted of misdemeanor welfare fraud - failure to inform, less than $500, in violation of MCl 400.602(A), in People of The State of Michigan v Jason Paul Ronning, 58th District Court Case No. HU-1S-066294-FY. Based on this conviction, the panel found that respondent violated the criminal laws of the State of Michigan, contrary to MCR 9.104(5). Additionally, based on respondent's default for failure to answer the formal complaint consolidated with the judgment of conviction, the exhibits offered into evidence, and respondent's admissions made at the hearing, the panel found that respondent failed to answer a Request for Investigation, in violation of MCR 9.104(7), MCR 9.113(A) and (B)(2); knowingly failed to respond to a lawful demand for information from an admissions or disciplinary authority, in violation of MRPC 8.1 (a)(2); neglected a legal matter entrusted to him, in violation of MRPC 1.1 (c); failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of the matter and to comply promptly with reasonable requests for information, in violation of MRPC 1.4; and failed to timely refund an unearned fee, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d). Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(1)-(4) and MRPC 8.4(a) and (c).
The panel ordered that respondent be reprimanded with conditions relevant to the established misconduct. The panel further ordered that if respondent fails to timely satisfy the terms of the conditions, the Grievance Administrator may file an affidavit attesting to respondent's failure to comply and the hearing panel will issue an order suspending respondent's license to practice law in Michigan for 120 days. Respondent was also ordered to pay restitution of $2,500.00. Costs were assessed in the amount of $2,141.80.