Richard D. Bonner

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

Attorney Richard Bonner handled the sale of estate property at 3 Chevy Chase, Havendale for J$11,100,000 and received the proceeds, but failed to account for and pay over the balance of J$5,509,535 to the Complainant and her siblings, beneficiaries of their late mother's estate. The Panel found beyond reasonable doubt that the Attorney misappropriated the funds and acted dishonestly, in breach of Canons I(b), VII(b) and VIII(d). The Attorney attended only the first hearing and repeatedly sought adjournments on medical grounds; his untested affidavit and later statements of account (introducing new fee and payment entries not put to witnesses) were given little weight. Sanction was deferred so the Attorney could be heard in mitigation.

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 clients who were family friends for over 50 years
• Misappropriation of client funds (approximately J$5.5 million)
• Repeated broken promises to pay the balance owed
• Failure to comply with Panel's order to file affidavit and revised Statement of Account
• Repeated non-attendance at hearings