Brown, Matter of, 22367
| Decision Date | 12 July 1985 |
| Docket Number | No. 22367,22367 |
| Citation | 286 S.C. 454,334 S.E.2d 281 |
| Parties | In the Matter of Willis R. BROWN. . Heard |
| Court | South Carolina Supreme Court |
Atty. Gen. T. Travis Medlock, Sr. Asst. Atty. Gen. Richard B. Kale, Jr., and Ruby B. McClain, Asst. Atty. Gen., Columbia, for complainant.
L. Henry McKellar and Stanley H. McGuffin, Columbia, for respondent.
John H. Lumpkin, Sr., Columbia, Guardian Ad Litem.
This grievance proceeding charges Willis R. Brown with serious misconduct arising out of his conviction of criminal charges in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia. He was temporarily suspended from the practice of law by order of the Chief Justice dated April 4, 1984. The hearing panel and a majority of the Executive Committee recommended a two year suspension with credit for the period of temporary suspension. We agree that is the appropriate sanction.
Respondent was admitted to practice in 1977. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Georgia and accepted employment as Executive Director of the Albany Urban League, where he was responsible for the implementation of numerous federally-funded programs. In 1982, he resigned his position with the Albany Urban League during an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of federal funds.
Respondent returned to South Carolina and obtained employment with the South Carolina National Bank legal department. He fully disclosed to his employers that he was the subject of a criminal investigation in Georgia arising out of his employment with the Urban League.
Approximately one year later, respondent was indicted on seventeen counts of obtaining goods under false pretenses and misappropriation of public funds. He initially pleaded not guilty, but later pleaded guilty to two counts and served approximately four months in federal prison.
It is undisputed that respondent received no money nor any personal gain as a result of the transactions which led to the charges against him. In his position with the Urban League respondent signed vouchers which were submitted to the various federal programs seeking funding disbursements. The vouchers were prepared by subordinate employees. The gist of the offenses was that funds were used to pay program costs of the Urban League which were not properly paid by the particular federal grant. However, all funds were used in Urban League programs.
The conviction of a serious crime is misconduct which clearly warrants...
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In re Matson
...sanction, the Court may consider circumstances in mitigation. Matter of Marshall, 331 S.C. 514, 498 S.E.2d 869 (1998); Matter of Brown, 286 S.C. 454, 334 S.E.2d 281 (1985). This Court has imposed a wide range of sanctions in cases involving such misconduct as neglect of legal matters, failu......
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Sprott, Matter of, 22546
...character, skill, and standing in the community, and have given particularly persuasive weight to that testimony. In the Matter of Brown, 286 S.C. 454, 334 S.E.2d 281 (1985). Our conclusion is best summarized by the following language from In re Rushton, 286 S.C. 543, 335 S.E.2d 238 We do n......
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Matter of Marshall
...a public reprimand. However, in choosing the appropriate sanction, the Court may consider circumstances in mitigation. Matter of Brown, 286 S.C. 454, 334 S.E.2d 281 (1985). Several witnesses testified on behalf of respondent. Carl Benson testified Ms. Durham was a good liar and he did not t......
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Brown, Matter of
...affidavit with the Clerk of Court showing that he has complied with Paragraph 30 of Rule 413, SCACR. DISBARMENT. 1 In the matter of Brown, 286 S.C. 454, 334 S.E.2d 281 (1985). ...