Donovan Occonor Malcolm

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

The Complainant, an overseas purchaser, paid the Attorney (acting for the vendors) J$11,553,332.50 towards purchase price, costs and fees, but only J$5,000,000 was passed to the firm Clough Long & Co, leaving over J$6.5 million unaccounted for. The Attorney registered a vendors' mortgage of J$8,611,000 instead of the agreed J$5,199,480, provided the Complainant a copy title showing the lower figure, failed to discharge the mortgage or deliver the title despite full payment, and did not perform (or refund fees for) change-of-use and covenant-modification work. He admitted via WhatsApp that he had 'done a wrongful act' and used her money, asking for time to 'work back the monies.' After multiple adjournments requested on medical grounds, the Attorney never appeared or filed a response. The Panel, applying the criminal standard of proof, found him guilty of professional misconduct under Canons I(b) and VII(b) and reserved sanction for a later mitigation hearing.

Duties found breached:

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