Opinion
Case Nos. SC04-43, SC05-594, SC05-899.
May 12, 2006.
Lower Tribunal Nos. 2003-00,221(8A), 2003-00,691(8A), 2004-00,695(8A), 2005-00,391(8A).
Respondent's Petition for Review filed with this Court on February 20, 2006, in case numbers SC05-594 SC05-899 is hereby dismissed for failure to comply with this Court's order dated March 30, 2006. In light of the petition being dismissed case numbers SC05-594 SC05-899 are being considered by this Court as an uncontested report of referee.
We hereby consolidate for all purposes, case number SC04-43, which is before this Court on a challenge by The Florida Bar, and case numbers SC05-594 SC05-899.
We approve the referee's recommendations of guilt in these cases. We find that respondent has violated numerous provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct. The Florida Bar provided evidence that respondent has mishandled several client matters, mishandled trust accounts, disregarded court orders, and consistently failed to respond in writing to official bar inquiries. In addition, the record supports the referee's conclusion that respondent lied under oath at his sanction hearing on November 2, 2005. We thus approve the referee's recommendation of disbarment as a comprehensive sanction for the above consolidated cases.
Respondent's April 10, 2006, motion to strike the response by The Florida Bar in case number SC04-43 is denied as moot.
Respondent is hereby disbarred, effective thirty (30) days from the date of this order so that respondent can close out his practice and protect the interests of existing clients. If respondent notifies this Court in writing that he is no longer practicing and does not need the thirty (30) days to protect existing clients, this Court will enter an order making the disbarment effective immediately. Respondent shall accept no new business from the date this order is filed.
Judgment is entered for The Florida Bar, 651 East Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2300, for recovery of costs from Michael Wayne Jones in the amount of $6,843.50, for which sum let execution issue.
Not final until time expires to file motion for rehearing, and if filed, determined. The filing of a motion for rehearing shall not alter the effective date of this disbarment.
PARIENTE, C.J., and WELLS, ANSTEAD, LEWIS, QUINCE, CANTERO, and BELL, concur.