Busy Days

The Iowa Supreme Court has suspended an attorney who entered a guilty plea to first degree theft.

The Daily Reporter had this story

McDaniel, 60, a former Spencer attorney, served as a contract defense attorney for the State of Iowa Public Defenders Office.

In February of 2011, the Clay County Attorney’s Office contacted the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation regarding billings submitted by McDaniel to the State Public Defenders Office. The Iowa Office of Auditor of State conducted an audit of McDaniel’s claims submitted from Aug. 31, 2007 to March 31, 2011.

In July of 2013, the State Auditor’s Office released the audit report for McDaniel which identified $177,755.36 of improper disbursement to McDaniel. The State Auditor’s Office report included improper disbursements identified as $81,060 paid to McDaniel for 80 days for which he claimed 24 hours or more in a single day, $31,686 for 55 days which McDaniel claimed at least 20 hours, but less than 24 hours in a single day, $48,696 for 152 days which McDaniel claimed more than 15 hours, but less than 20 hours in a single day, and $10,176 for 113 days which McDaniel claimed more than 12 hours, but less than 15 hours in a single day.

The audit did not include hours or disbursements paid for less than 12 hours a day, but did include improper disbursements of $6,137.35 of mileage claimed by McDaniel.

(Mike Frisch)