Opinion
May 25, 2000.
ORDER
Petitioner has been indicted in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina on five counts of violating 18 U.S.C. § 1343, three counts of violating 18 U.S.C. § 1344, and one count of violating 18 U.S.C. § 2. The Office of Disciplinary Counsel has filed a petition asking the Court to place respondent on interim suspension pursuant to Rule 17(a), RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR, because he has been charged with a serious crime. The petition also seeks appointment of an attorney to protect the interests. of respondent's clients pursuant to Rule 31; RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR.
IT IS ORDERED that the petition is granted and respondent is suspended from the practice of law in this State until further order of this Court.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Joseph M. McCulloch, Jr., Esquire, is appointed to assume responsibility for respondent's client files, trust account(s), escrow account(s), operating account(s), and any other law office accounts respondent may maintain. Mr. McCulloch shall take action as required by Rule 31, RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR, to protect the interests of respondent's clients. Mr. McCulloch may make disbursements from respondent's trust account(s), escrow account(s), operating account(s), and any other law office accounts respondent may maintain that are necessary to effectuate this appointment.
This Order, when served on any bank or other financial institution maintaining trust, escrow and/or operating account(s) of respondent, shall serve as an injunction to prevent respondent from making withdrawals from the account(s) and shall further serve as notice to the bank or other financial institution that Joseph M. McCulloch, Jr., Esquire, has been duly appointed by this Court.
Finally, this Order, when served on any office of the United States Postal Service, shall serve as notice that Joseph M. McCulloch, Jr.; Esquire, has been duly appointed by this Court and has the authority to receive respondent's mail and the authority to direct that respondent's mail be delivered to Mr. McCulloch's office.
/s/ Jean S. Toal, C.J. FOR THE COURT