One Dollar Left
An Illinois attorney has filed a motion for consent disbarment in the face of pending allegations
Between October 2023 and June 2024, Movant converted at least $388,064 in funds that belonged to his clients or their lienholders. Movant used those funds for his own personal purposes, without authority to do so, from either of his clients.
In a personal injury matter
On October 6, 2023, Movant received a settlement check made payable to Morrissey & Donahue LLC and C.S. in the amount of $175,000. On that date, Movant deposited the $175,000 settlement check into his IOLTA account. From the settlement, C.S. and her third-party lienholders were entitled to at least $116,724. Between October 6, 2023, and January 22, 2024, prior to making any disbursement of the settlement proceeds to St. George, Movant drew the balance on his IOLTA account to $1, as he made withdrawals in payment of his personal or business obligations. As a result, Movant had used for his own purposes $116,724 of funds due to C.S. or her third-party lienholders. Movant’s use of those funds constitutes conversion.
Between January 24, 2024, and February 8, 2024, C.S. and her adult children repeatedly called, texted, and emailed Movant regarding the status of the settlement proceeds. On February 9, 2024, Movant falsely told C.S.’s daughter in a text message that he had not and would not steal her mother’s money. Then, on April 16, 2024, Movant texted C.S.’s daughter a screenshot of his IOLTA account balance and falsely stated to her that her mother’s settlement funds remained in the account.
In a real estate matter
Between March 2024 and June 2024, prior to making any disbursement of the real estate proceeds to P.M., Movant drew the balance on his IOLTA account to $30,000.99, as he made withdrawals in payment of his personal or business obligations. As a result, Movant had used at least $271,339.73 for his ow purposes, without authority. Movant’s use of those funds constitutes conversion.
In May 2024, P.M. and his company filed a complaint for a permanent injunction against Movant, as well as a motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction, seeking to bar Movant and his law firm from disbursing funds belonging to P.M. and his company. On June 5, 2024, Movant appeared for the hearing on the motion for temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction. During the hearing, Movant falsely told the Honorable D. Atkins that the $301,340.72 in real estate proceeds from the Ashland property remained in his IOLTA account.
(Mike Frisch)