THE FLORIDA BAR, COMPLAINANT,
v.
GEORGE T. DELVES, RESPONDENT

Fla. | 1981-04-23
No. 58726
SUNDBERG, C. J., and OVERTON, ENGLAND and ALDERMAN, JJ., concur., McDONALD, J., dissents.
397 So. 2d 919 Florida Supreme Court (1981) Positive Treatment
Cited by 4 cases

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Synopsis

The Florida Bar sought discipline of attorney George T. Delves for fraudulent conduct in real estate transactions and mishandling client funds. The Supreme Court approved the referee's guilt findings but imposed disbarment rather than the recommended suspension, citing Delves' prior discipline and uncooperative conduct in the proceeding.


Holding

The Court approved the referee's findings that Delves violated Integration Rule article XI, rule 11.02(3) and Code of Professional Responsibility Disciplinary Rules 1-102(A)(4) and (6), but rejected the recommended one-year suspension with conditions. Instead, the Court disbarred Delves effective immediately and ordered him to pay $2,415.18 in costs, finding disbarment more appropriate given his prior discipline and uncooperative conduct in the proceedings.


Headnotes

[1] A lawyer engages in conduct contrary to honesty, justice, and good morals when retaining undisclosed commissions and repair expenses from a client's property sale.

[2] A lawyer engages in conduct involving fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation by failing to inform purchasers that property is subject to outstanding mortgages and judgments.

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Key Quotes

“respondent retained from the purchase price of the property he sold for the two couples commissions and repair expenses not listed in the closing statements and of which no agreement had been made”

Establishes Delves' deceptive conduct in retaining undisclosed fees in real estate transactions

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Facts & Procedural History

Delves offered to sell real estate parcels to married couples and assist them in selling property. He retained undisclosed commissions and repair expe…

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Opinion of the Court
PER CURIAM.

PER CURIAM.

In this original proceeding, The Florida Bar charged respondent George T. Delves, a Florida Bar member, with engaging in conduct contrary to honesty, justice, and good morals; conduct involving fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation; conduct which reflects adversely on his fitness to practice law; and with mishandling client funds.

Two separate factual situations gave rise to the two-count complaint. The referee found as to the first count that respondent offered to sell certain parcels of real estate he allegedly owned to various married couples. He also offered to assist two of the couples in selling certain property they owned. In the course of these transactions, respondent retained from the purchase price of the property he sold for the two couples commissions and repair expenses not listed in the closing statements and of which no agreement had been made; failed to inform two of the purchasers that the property was subject to two outstanding mortgages for $24,700 and $2,300; and failed to inform all of the parties that the real estate was in fact not titled in his name because of outstanding judgments against him.

As to the second count, the referee found that respondent borrowed $4,300 and later $2,500 from Annie and Vollie (now deceased) Andrews. With respect to the first transaction, respondent borrowed the money to pay off a mortgage then being foreclosed and gave the Andrews an unrecorded “Satisfaction of Mortgage,” which he represented was security for the loan. Respondent never informed the Andrews that the satisfaction was in reality a worthless piece of paper. With respect to the second loan, respondent represented he would repay the money within sixty days. He did not do so. With both loans remaining outstanding, the Andrews tried but failed to locate respondent.

The referee recommended that respondent be found guilty of violating Integration Rule, article XI, rule 11.02(3), and of Code of Professional Responsibility Disciplinary Rules 1-102(A)(4) and (6), but not 9-102(A)(2) or 9-102(B)(4). The referee further recommended that respondent be suspended from the practice of law for a one-year period and thereafter until he makes complete restitution to Annie Andrews for the $4,300 loan, and until he demonstrates fitness to practice by petition under Integration Rule, article XI, rule 11.-11.

Respondent has been previously found guilty of similar misconduct and was previously suspended. State ex rel. The Florida Bar v. Delves, 160 So. 2d 114 (Fla.1963). Further, respondent was not cooperative in this proceeding, the record reflecting that he left “unclaimed” seven communications sent to him by certified mail at the grievance committee level as well as a copy of the complaint, even though the postal service sent him two, notices for each communication except one.

We approve the referee’s findings and recommendations of guilt but, under these circumstances, reject the recommended discipline. We find that in light of respondent’s present actions and past record, disbarment is a more appropriate sanction. Accordingly, respondent is disbarred effective immediately and directed to pay the cost of these proceedings in the amount of $2,415.18.

It is so ordered.

SUNDBERG, C. J., and OVERTON, ENGLAND and ALDERMAN, JJ., concur. McDONALD, J., dissents.


Cases With Similar Vibessemantic neighbors from the corpus


Citator

Cited By

  • THE Florida BAR v. Knowles, 572 So. 2d 1373 (Fla. 1991)
    …tated, repeated instances of similar misconduct should be treated cumulatively so that a lawyer’s disciplinary history can be considered as grounds for more serious punishment. The Fla. Bar v. Bern, 425 So. 2d 526 (Fla.1982); The Fla. Bar v. Delves, 397 So. 2d 919 (Fla.1981). This Court has held that cumulative misconduct is grounds for disbarment. The Fla. Bar v. Newman, 513 So. 2d 656 (Fla.1987). Thus, in view of the cumulative nature of respondent’s conduct, we accept the referee’s findings and recommende…
  • THE Florida BAR v. Bartlett, 509 So. 2d 287 (Fla. 1987)
    …that a lawyer’s disciplinary history can be considered as grounds for more serious punishment than his present misconduct, considered in isolation, might seem to warrant. The Florida Bar v. Bern, 425 So. 2d 526 (Fla.1982); The Florida Bar v. Delves, 397 So. 2d 919 (Fla.1981). Moreover, a lawyer’s willful refusal to participate at all in the disciplinary process when he is accused of misconduct calls into serious question the lawyer’s fitness for the practice of law. See, e.g., The Florida Bar v. Montgomery, 4…

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