Arlean D. Moreta Beckford

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

The attorney had carriage of sale of a property and received J$1,892,500 in installments from the complainant purchaser and her fiancé toward the purchase. The attorney failed to forward documents to the National Housing Trust, failed to complete the sale within the represented six months, failed to account for or refund the monies, and gave no explanation as to their whereabouts. The panel found she acted with inexcusable delay and negligence and acted dishonestly in respect of the funds. She did not participate fully in the hearing and failed to attend the sanction hearing without excuse. She was struck off the roll, ordered to make restitution of J$1,892,500 plus interest, and to pay costs.

Duties found breached:

• Uphold public trust in the profession
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Funds entrusted to the attorney in her capacity having carriage of sale were not used for the intended purpose
• No explanation provided as to the whereabouts of the funds
• Failed to participate in the hearing after an adverse ruling and failed to attend the sanction hearing without excuse
• Purchasers were unrepresented and not informed of the status of the transaction
• Inordinately long and inexcusable delay

⚠ figures not found verbatim in the source were dropped: ["unverified_costs_amount=100000"]