In the Matter of William Lewis Vaughn

Summary

The Supreme Court of Georgia accepted William Lewis Vaughn's petition for voluntary surrender of his law license, which is tantamount to disbarment. Vaughn admitted violating professional-conduct rules concerning dishonesty in two HUD-1 settlement statements and willful delay in recording a security deed and mortgage release. The Court noted his prior disciplinary history and reminded him of his duties under Bar Rule 4-219(c).

Holdings

1. Vaughn violated Rule 8.4(a)(4) by knowingly preparing two HUD-1 settlement statements containing false or materially inaccurate statements about the real-estate transactions.
2. Vaughn violated Rule 1.3 by willfully delaying for approximately three years the filing of a security deed and release of a second mortgage, even though the record did not establish that the affected property owner was his client.
3. The court accepted Vaughn's petition for voluntary surrender of his law license, recognizing that voluntary surrender is tantamount to disbarment and is warranted based on his admitted disciplinary violations.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the court should accept Vaughn's petition for voluntary surrender of his law license based on his admitted violations of Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3 and 8.4(a)(4).
2. Whether Vaughn's willful delay in recording a security deed violated Rule 1.3 even though the record contained no evidence or admission that the affected property owner was Vaughn's client.

Disposition

other