Unlike Oliver Wendell Douglas in Greenacres, Bar Counsel wasn't laughing when this Maryland lawyer bought the farm.
Issue: What sanction should the Court impose upon an attorney who failed to file or to pay state and federal income taxes over an extended period of time as a result of significant personal and financial problems following his purchase of a farm?
Holding: Although the Court found that the failure to file or to pay taxes over a seven year period constituted (1) a criminal act that reflected adversely on the attorney's fitness as an attorney, (2) dishonesty, and (3) conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, such mitigating factors as his cooperation with Bar Counsel, his good faith efforts to rectify his misconduct, his payment of most of the back taxes, interest and penalties owed, his remorse, and his good character and reputation as an attorney prompted a more lenient 60-day suspension.
Alleged Violations: Maryland Attorneys' Rules of Professional Conduct Rules ("MARPC") 19-308.4(a)-(d) (formerly Maryland Lawyers' Rules of Professional Conduct 8.4(a)-(d)); Maryland Rules 19-742(e), 19-752(j)(11).
Argued: January 6, 2020
Decided: February 28, 2020
Read Opinion by Judge McDonald