Failure To Search Internet Shows Lack Of Competence

The Iowa Supreme Court has suspended an attorney for at least one year, noting that he was "[n]ot the first Iowa lawyer who has become entangled in a deception with ostensible Nigerian connections."

The attorney had arranged for five clients to advance funds for a person who claimed to be the heir to a fortune. Charges that the attorney knowingly participated in the fraud were withdrawn.

Notably, among the violations found were lack of competence.

The court noted that a "cursory" search of the Internet would have alerted the attorney to the likelihood of a scam. (Mike Frisch)