Easler, Matter of, 21289
| Citation | 275 S.C. 269,269 S.E.2d 765 |
| Decision Date | 02 September 1980 |
| Docket Number | No. 21289,21289 |
| Court | United States State Supreme Court of South Carolina |
| Parties | In the Matter of William Randolph EASLER, Respondent. |
Atty. Gen. Daniel R. McLeod and Asst. Atty. Gen. Keith M. Babcock, for complainant.
William Randolph Easler, pro se.
This is a disciplinary matter. The complaint charges respondent William R. Easler with committing several acts of professional misconduct. The allegations stem from his representation of clients in unrelated domestic matters. The Executive Committee of the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline unanimously adopted the hearing panel's findings and conclusions. In lieu of the panel's recommendation of an indefinite suspension the Executive Committee independently recommended disbarment as the appropriate sanction. We disbar respondent from the practice of law in this State.
The McFarlin matter is the more serious and we need look no further than it for purposes of this decision. Mr. McFarlin came to respondent in the throes of domestic and financial difficulties. He and his wife shared ownership of a lot as tenants in common. Respondent arranged a sale of Mr. McFarlin's one-half undivided interest to an individual named Lee, described by respondent as a part-time student and process server; and later arranged for the transfer of Mrs. McFarlin's interest to Lee as well. The McFarlins testified respondent was the real purchaser but used Lee as a "straw-man" to avoid the appearance of impropriety.
The upshot of these purported transactions was a fraudulent scheme to obtain the McFarlins' property at a price well below its value at a time made advantageous by the domestic and financial difficulties the McFarlins were undergoing. The purchase price was paid by check of respondent, not Lee; 1 falsified instruments were prepared to consummate the transfer to Lee; and ultimately the property was conveyed from Lee to respondent's mother.
Respondent's machinations were thwarted when the McFarlins, now reconciled, consulted another lawyer and brought an action for damages and to set aside the deeds. A settlement of that lawsuit was most favorable to the McFarlins. Not only did they recover the property, but also an existing mortgage lien had been satisfied and the McFarlins retained the monies paid by respondent for Lee's "straw-man" purchases.
We conclude respondent deliberately defrauded the McFarlins. In his attempt to acquire their property for his personal gain...
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IN RE GOFFE, 90-BG-888
...evidence, In re Wallace, 265 Ind. 292, 354 N.E.2d 213 (1976); notarizing a document and forging a client's signature, In re Easler, 275 S.C. 269, 269 S.E.2d 765 (1980); and knowingly submitting false evidence to the INS, Weir v. State Bar, 23 Cal.3d 564, 152 Cal.Rptr. 921, 591 P.2d 19 (1979......
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Easler, Matter of
...Chief Justice. Respondent, William Randolph Easler, was disbarred by Order of this Court on September 2, 1980. In the Matter of William Randolph Easler, 269 S.E.2d 765 (1980). He is presently before the Court on a rule to show cause why he should not be found in contempt for continuing to p......
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