Florida Bar v. Scott
Florida Bar v. Scott
Opinion of the Court
Respondent was disbarred from the practice of law by the judgment of this Court dated October 1, 1969,
The referee considered testimony of respondent’s supervisor, a vice president of respondent’s employer after respondent’s release from prison; of an attorney and fellow employee of respondent; and of an attorney and personal friend of respondent, in addition to letters of recommendation including one from the chairman of the board of respondent’s employer. In substance the testimony and evidence indicated that because of his financial predicament and emotionally upsetting personal and family situation, respondent, although well intentioned, was unable to resist using available funds belonging to his clients. Since release from prison he has been employed by a reputable national corporation and enjoys the confidence and respect of his superiors and fellows employees.
In his response, respondent acknowledged his continuing legal and moral responsibility to repay the wrongfully converted funds, but stated that he had made no progress to date in doing so because of the inability to practice his profession and obligations to support his daughter by his first marriage and his present wife and daughter.
Based upon the testimony and evidence presented and respondent’s failure to offer further testimony, the referee found that respondent “has not rehabilitated himself
We concur in the recommendation of the Board of Governors that no further disciplinary action is required because of respondent’s prior disbarment by this Court. We also concur with the recommendation that the proceedings be dismissed for failure of respondent to give an adequate showing of rehabilitation. However, these proceedings must be dismissed for a further reason. The procedure for obtaining reinstatement to the Bar is specifically set forth in Rule 11.10 of the Integration Rule of The Florida Bar. This procedure was not followed here. The Rule does not contemplate transformation by a referee on his own initiative of a disbarment proceeding into a reinstatement action. There is no indication that respondent herein has complied with the requirements of that rule, which include the filing of a verified petition for reinstatement accompanied by a deposit in an amount prescribed by the Board of Governors to insure payment of reasonable costs of the proceedings for reinstatement.
For the reasons expressed herein, these proceedings are hereby dismissed, without prejudice to respondent to file a Petition for Reinstatement at such time as the Rules permit. The dismissal of these proceedings shall not be considered an adverse judgment upon a petition for reinstatement as contemplated in Rule 11.10(12) of the Integration Rule relating to successive petitions. Judgment in the sum of $256.50 is hereby entered against the respondent for the cost of these proceedings, for which let execution issue. Payment of said costs shall be a prerequisite to reinstatement.
It is so ordered.
. The Florida Bar v. Scott, 227 So.2d 195 (Fla. 1969).
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.