Richard D. Bonner

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

The Attorney was retained to administer the estate of the complainant's late mother and handled the sale of property at 3 Chevy Chase for $11,100,000. He received the proceeds but, despite a signed Statement of Account acknowledging a balance of $5,509,535 due to the complainant and her siblings and repeated promises to pay, failed to account for or pay over that balance. The Panel found beyond reasonable doubt that he misappropriated the funds and acted dishonestly, in breach of Canons I(b) and VII(b), amounting to professional misconduct under Canon VIII(d). No sanction was imposed in this decision; a date was to be set to hear the Attorney in mitigation before sanction.

Duties found breached:

• Uphold public trust in the profession
• No improper use of client money
• Report serious misconduct of others

Aggravating factors:

• Betrayal of trust of a family friend known for over 50 years
• Failure to comply with Panel order to file a revised Statement of Account and affidavit
• Repeated non-attendance at hearings
• Introduction of unsubstantiated fee entries and payment claims not put to witnesses in cross-examination