Escrow Account Allegations Have Sporting Aspect

A complaint has been filed by the Michigan Attorney Grievance Administrator alleging misuse of a trust account

On or about June 4,2016, JPMorgan Chase provided notice to the Commission that on June 3, 2016, an online payment transfer in the amount of $100, was presented against Respondent’s IOLTA when the account held insufficient funds.

His explanation in part

All of the amounts transferred were reimbursements for expenditures for the Jr. Golf events from Cameryn Lucia who plays on a national level. The money is deposited by her mother from an account that has Cameryn’s disability payments and I transfer any amounts that are owed to me for reimbursement.

In the meanwhile I have told my client to write checks instead of wire transfers because I don’t trust what my app says about the funds being available.

A charge

Respondent’s answer contains  false statements and/or fails to fully and fairly explain the nature of the funds deposited into Respondent’s IOLTA given that, contrary to his statements, Respondent did not have an attorney client relationship with Rebecca or Cameryn Lucia and was not representing them with respect to any legal matter.

The petition alleges a series of payments from Respondent’s spouse to and then out of the IOLTA account.

Each of the transfers set forth above were related to Respondent’s daughter, Carneiyn Lucia, with whom he had no client-attorney relationship.

Respondent knew or should have known that these transactions were personal in nature and should not have been conducted through his IOLTA.

The charges do not involve misappropriation. (Mike Frisch)