Anthony Alexander Armstrong

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

In Complaint No. 122/2019 before the Disciplinary Committee of the General Legal Council of Jamaica, complainant Michael Adams alleged that attorney Anthony Armstrong sold his three properties without authorisation while he was imprisoned in the USA (2003-2015), breaching Canons III(f), I(b) and III(k). The panel, applying the criminal standard of proof, accepted uncontradicted handwriting expert evidence (Beverley East) that the signatures on the sale transfers were the Complainant's own, finding the Complainant had authorised the sales. Thus the allegations of acting contrary to law and committing a criminal offence were not proven. However, the Attorney admitted witnessing the signatures without the signatories being physically present, which the panel found reckless and negligent, constituting professional misconduct in breach of Canon I(b). No express finding of dishonesty was made. The Attorney had paid the Complainant US$15,450 out of fear of threats. Sanction was deferred to allow the Attorney to make submissions.

Duties found breached:

• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Witnessing legal documents without the signatory present described as reckless/negligent
• Evasive and not credible as a witness

Mitigating factors:

• The Complainant was ultimately found to have authorised the sales by signing the transfers, so consequences were not as grave as they could have been
• Relied on family members of the Complainant and was somewhat familiar with the signature