Censure Too Light

The New Jersey Supreme Court rejected a proposed censure recommended by the Disciplinary Board in favor of a three-month suspension.

The attorney had negligently misappropriated entrusted funds. Bad enough. He had compounded the misconduct by submitted false evidence about the escrow shortfall to disciplinary authorities. Shortly thereafter, he came clean, claiming that he had “panicked.”

A minority of the board favored the suspension imposed by the court, which had ordered the attorney to show cause why greater discipline than a censure should not be imposed.

Note that the court’s order appears at the end of the board’s report. (Mike Frisch)