Audrey Heslop-Mendez

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

The Attorney was retained to handle the estate of the complainant's deceased father, including probating the will and selling several properties. She collected proceeds and funds for transfer taxes and US dollar purchases but failed to account for them, misappropriating estate funds (personally admitting responsibility for $600,000). After abruptly leaving Jamaica, she made repeated broken promises to repay, gave a dishonoured cheque, and made only minimal part payments. The Panel found express dishonesty and breaches of Canons I(b), IV(r), and VII(b). She was struck off the roll, ordered to pay restitution of $722,168.02 with 12% interest from 1 September 1999, and costs of $75,000.00.

Duties found breached:

• No taking unfair advantage
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Serious abuse of fiduciary duty and trust of a bereaved widow client
• Client resident abroad, particularly susceptible to abuse
• Repeated broken promises to repay
• Dishonoured cheque given as part payment
• Attempted to shift blame entirely onto her partner and withdrew undertaking to repay

Mitigating factors:

• Made some part payments (US$4,000 and attempted £250) toward the sum owed