Arlean D. Moreta Beckford

Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision

The Respondent was engaged in 2004 to handle the purchase of two lots of land and a motor vehicle accident damages claim. Over eleven years she failed to carry out the work, made her whereabouts unknown, and failed to account for $250,000 (balance of purchase price) and $1,250,000 (general damages awarded by the court). The Panel found she acted with inexcusable and deplorable negligence and inferred she misappropriated the monies, betraying her client's trust and bringing the profession into disrepute. At the sanction hearing (which she did not attend) the Panel ordered her struck off, fined $1.5m payable to the complainant, and ordered to pay $400,000 in costs.

Duties found breached:

• Fair, reasonable and lawful fees
• Full disclosure on ex parte applications
• Honour professional undertakings
• No improper use of client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• No remorse shown
• Cavalier attitude towards the complainant, the Disciplinary Committee and the process
• Conduct described as appalling, scandalous, dishonourable and disreputable
• Betrayal of client's trust and confidence
• Misappropriation of all proceeds of the damages award plus the purchase balance

⚠ figures not found verbatim in the source were dropped: ["unverified_fine_amount=1500000", "unverified_costs_amount=400000"]