The Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board accepted a stipulated two-year suspension with terms for billing fraud

This matter involves Respondent’s submission of fraudulent billing documentation and misrepresentations regarding the nature of the work she performed as a court-appointed GAL. Between June 2021 and December 2022, Respondent fraudulently billed Virginia courts for at least $1000.00 in services as a court appointed GAL that she had not actually provided.

Respondent was appointed as guardian ad litem for two minors in foster care

Judges Rogers and Ferguson discovered that between May 2021 and August 2022, Respondent billed eight hours of time on five separate occasions (totaling 40 hours) for meeting with EC and/or CC in both the foster home or the school.

Respondent had not met with the foster parents as she represented she had in the DC-40s that Respondent submitted to the Court seeking to be compensated for her work as GAL.

Respondent never met with EC or CC.

Judge Rogers contacted the Roanoke City Public Schools and verified that they had no record of Respondent being present at the school EC and CC attended on the dates Respondent had listed on her billing statements.

By letter dated January 23, 2023, Judge Ferguson removed Respondent from all assignments as GAL in the Twenty-Third Judicial District.