Audley Earl Melhado

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

The respondent attorney, Audley Earl Melhado, was retained by the complainant to conduct the sale of land in Vineyard Town, Kingston. He advised the complainant that the sale was completed and that he held approximately $5 million in proceeds, of which the complainant expected to receive about $4 million. The complainant never received any of the funds despite multiple attempts to contact the attorney. The respondent did not attend any hearings or file a response. The Panel found the complaints proven beyond reasonable doubt and found the attorney guilty of professional misconduct, ordering him struck off the Roll, to pay costs of $100,000, and to make restitution of $4 million.

Duties found breached:

• Full disclosure on ex parte applications
• Keep client informed and respond promptly
• No taking unfair advantage
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Respondent kept the complainant out of his funds for several years
• Egregious nature of the matter
• Respondent never attended any hearing dates and filed no response or affidavit
• No plea in mitigation offered despite opportunity