An Anonymous Phone Call

The South Carolina Supreme Court imposed a reprimand and other requirements in a bar discipline matter initiated by an anonymous phone call. the attorney and the Office of Disciplinary Counsel ("ODC") entered into a stipulation by which the attorney admitted non-compliance with recordkeeping and use of a trust account. The attorney made "counter" deposits and withdrew funds without proper documentation. He had taken corrective measures to ensure future compliance with the rules.

ODC had sought a harsher sanction. ODC also argued that the attorney had violated Rule 3.1 by arguing that it had engaged in racial profiling in its prosecution of the case. The court: "While we agree with the Panel that [the] claim is meritless, we decline to find a violation of Rule 3.1" (Mike Frisch)