LIT COMMENTARY
When y’all lift your chins off the keyboard after reading how a Texas lawyer can steal nearly half a million dollars and end up with zero jail time when he has previously been noted for his legal misconduct including an Addison, Texas pot ponzi scheme where he should have been charged by association – but miraculously he avoided indictment – it really is appalling how the Courts and Texas continually get away with such flagrant abuse of power. Hopefully this blog and some “influential people” can decide to take action and #RESTORETX.
Post Edited: Paxton Punkin’ the Process https://t.co/7dsROKp4eE
— LawsInTexas (@lawsintexasusa) December 29, 2020
Dallas Attorney Indicted in Client’s Theft
FBI seizes $91,000 from same lawyer in separate case
Published at 9:29 am on June 14, 2018
A longtime Dallas attorney who has advertised “the highest level of integrity” was indicted after police said he stole $365,000 from a client.
The indictment came weeks after the FBI seized money from the lawyer in a separate case, according to forfeiture.gov, a government website that posts seizure notices.
Walter Thomas Finley, 70, is charged with felony theft in a case involving the trust fund of an East Texas woman.
Attorney Finley pleaded guilty and received 10 years probated suspension and 320 hrs community service
He has not yet been arrested and did not return phone calls or text messages seeking comment.
The woman’s family gave Finley $416,000 in late 2012 to set up the fund and make quarterly payments to her, but he stopped after a year, according to a Highland Park police report and court records.
The woman, Deborah Edge of Talco, hired another lawyer and sued Finley in 2015.
Her lawsuit includes copies of emails in which she asked Finley about the missing payments.
“I apologize for the delay. Thank you for your patience,” Finley wrote back.
In another email, he indicated he had invested the money in a hedge fund.
“I am working with the hedge funds to get released as much as is possible under the terms of the hedge fund agreements,” he said.
Finley didn’t respond to the lawsuit or show up to court, and the woman was awarded $671,150 in damages and attorney fees, according to court records.
Her new attorney, Mark Heidenheimer of McKinney, said Finley has never paid the money.
Heidenheimer filed a criminal complaint in Highland Park because the documents were signed in that city.
The indictment was handed up May 25.
FBI SEIZURE
On April 2, the FBI seized $91,000 from Finley’s account at a Dallas bank, according to forfeiture.gov.
FBI spokeswoman Melinda Urbina in Dallas declined to give any details of the investigation.
But the records show that at the same time, agents also seized money from an Addison company Finley formed called Greenview Investment Partners.
Greenview invested in the “legal marijuana” business, according to the Dallas Business Journal. The firm is no longer in business.
Finley filed a document last year with the Securities and Exchange Commission identifying himself as corporate secretary and indicating the company planned to raise between $5 million and $25 million from investors.
In the same case, the government seized a 2017 Bentley worth $205,000 and a 2018 Range Rover valued at $52,000 from two other people linked to Greenview.
LAW LICENSE SUSPENDED
The Texas Bar Association suspended Finley’s license for two months beginning in May 2017 for violating its rules of professional conduct. He also was put on probation until October 2018.
The bar’s website noted the suspension but gave no details.
But according to the Texas Bar Journal, which tracks lawyers’ discipline, Finley failed to give settlement funds to a client, did not answer the client’s questions, and failed to keep the money “separate from Finley’s own property.” He was ordered to pay $4,500 in restitution and $5,000 in attorneys’ fees.
In July 2017, in another case, Finley was paid $2,500 to represent a man in a tax matter but neglected to work on the case and keep his client informed, the bar said.
Just last month, Finley was issued a formal reprimand in that case, ordered to repay the client and pay an additional $2,000 in legal fees.
Finley is the only attorney in his office which is located on Turtle Creek Boulevard.
His website said he offers a wide range of legal services, including tax issues and estate planning.
“We aim to exceed your expectations,” it says. “Our balanced approach combines expert knowledge in crucial practice areas with the highest level of integrity.”
In the Matter of W. Thomas Finley
The State of Texas v. Walter Thomas Finley, Case No. F-1800311-K, Criminal District Court #4, Dallas County, Texas. BODA no. 63670.
HISTORY OF FINANCIAL PROBLEMS
Separate from any criminal investigation, public records reviewed by NBC DFW show Finley has a history of financial problems.
In May 2010, the IRS filed a $448,197 lien on his Dallas home for tax years 2004 and 2005. He then defaulted on his mortgage and the bank foreclosed on the house, according to Dallas County court documents.
In February 2015, American Express Bank sued Finley over $45,244 in unpaid credit card bills. He was ordered to pay $1,200 a month.
“The defendant represents that due to his financial condition he is unable to make larger payments,” the receiver wrote in a court filing.
It was unclear from the court records if he ever repaid the debt.
In March 2016, Finley and his wife were evicted from another Dallas home, according to a court filing.
Lawyer Drew Vaughn of Texas had 3 client complaints. He was found guilty & suspended for 7 yrs. Well, that’s not how it works in Texas. That equals 2 yrs. Apparently “consecutive’ is a banned word in Texas Lawyer Discipline. #AuditTexas #txlege #Texas https://t.co/nTbq2fHVhO pic.twitter.com/CXXs9NlSQ2
— LawsInTexas (@lawsintexasusa) December 11, 2019
LIT REVIEWS THE INVOLVEMENT OF TOM FINLEY IN THE POT INVESTMENT PONZI SCHEME WITH BOILER SALESROOM BUT HE’S NOT CHARGED IN THIS CASE, RELYING WE ASSUME ON THE FACT HE JUST ACTED AS COMPANY SECRETARY (REGISTRATION AND LEGAL SERVICES ONLY)
UPDATE; Michael Cone was slapped by the US District Judge Joe Fish, N.D. Texas, and ordered to stay out of the investment business and pay restitution but no jail time, see the ORDER for details.
ADDISON, TEXAS; Marijuana investor Greenview Investment Partners has been charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission for allegedly making false promises about its returns to those wanting to put money into the industry.
The firm shut down over the summer amid an investigation by the FBI, the Dallas Business Journal previously reported. It has been confirmed that the U.S. Attorney’s office in the Central District of California is pursuing a parallel investigation to the SEC’s. Investigators have brought charges against the firm’s founder Michael Cone and seized roughly $1.4 million in cash.
“Greenview allegedly exploited investor interest in the marijuana industry and lied about high returns and the backgrounds of its key executives,” Shamoil Shipchandler, director of the SEC’s Fort Worth office, said in a statement Wednesday. “Investors must remain vigilant and not let the fear of missing out dupe them into making bad investment decisions.”
Greenview had been in the process of raising up to $125 million from potential investors to lend to pot growers and other companies in the industry.
Cone had allegedly raised more than $3.3 million from investors before his firm closed, according to the SEC complaint filed in North Texas federal court. The agency said that Cone had set up a “boiler room” sales team that cold-called investors with promises of up to 24 percent returns.
Greenview’s only investment of $400,000, however, was in a company that hadn’t harvested a plant yet, the SEC alleges. Instead, Cone spent the money raised from investors on luxury cars, designer clothes and payments to previous investors who were seeking returns. A source who had previously done dealings with Cone said he had expensive tastes.
Cone had allegedly used aliases to cover up past criminal convictions. The initial regulatory filing for the firm’s fund raising included the name Brian Gwinn. That name was used in a potential deal to set up a new office in Frisco that fell apart earlier this year.
August 2018, in the case of Anwar Ahmad
Accordingly, it is ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that a Public Reprimand be imposed against Respondent in accordance with the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure. The Evidentiary Panel finds that the sanction imposed against Respondent is the appropriate sanction for each of the violations set forth in this judgment.
This was published in the State Bar of Texas Journal in October 2018.
Mary L. Scott (State Bar of Texas Profile)
Current employer listed as LeBeouf Law, not Spencer Scott pllc per her LI profile below.
Mary L. Scott (LinkedIn Profile)
Member at Spencer Scott pllc
Please Vote for Me – Dallas Bar Association Board of Directors Election
I am running for re-election to the DBA Board of Directors.
My qualifications are: Director, Dallas Bar Association Board of Directors 2009 – 2015; 2017-2019. Co-Chair, Bench Bar Committee, 2017 (received DBA Presidential Citation on 11/7/17 for this work). Co-Chair EAJ Campaign 2018 – we raised over $1 million. Director, DBA Trial Academy 2012 – present (received DBA Presidential Citation in 2012 for starting this program). Director, Community Service Fund Board of Directors 2013; 2019. Trial Skills Section: Chair in 2018; Vice-Chair in 2017, Secretary in 2016, Board of Directors from 2014-present. DBA Incubator Program Committee 2019. Co-Chair, Judiciary Committee Co-Chair, CLE Committee Co-Chair, Courthouse Committee Judge, Mock Trial Competition Dallas Bar Foundation Life Fellow Member, Dallas Asian American Bar Association Member, Dallas Hispanic Bar Association Member, Dallas Women Lawyer’s Association Member, JL Turner Legal Association William “Mac” Taylor Inn of Court – Master Community Leadership Positions: Luncheon Co-Chair, Attorneys Serving the Community 2009-2010 Director, Bridge Breast Network 2015-2018
Mary L. Scott (LinkedIn Profile)
Member at Spencer Scott pllc
Please Vote for Me – Dallas Bar Association Board of Directors Election
I am running for re-election to the DBA Board of Directors.
My qualifications are: Director, Dallas Bar Association Board of Directors 2009 – 2015; 2017-2019. Co-Chair, Bench Bar Committee, 2017 (received DBA Presidential Citation on 11/7/17 for this work). Co-Chair EAJ Campaign 2018 – we raised over $1 million. Director, DBA Trial Academy 2012 – present (received DBA Presidential Citation in 2012 for starting this program). Director, Community Service Fund Board of Directors 2013; 2019. Trial Skills Section: Chair in 2018; Vice-Chair in 2017, Secretary in 2016, Board of Directors from 2014-present. DBA Incubator Program Committee 2019. Co-Chair, Judiciary Committee Co-Chair, CLE Committee Co-Chair, Courthouse Committee Judge, Mock Trial Competition Dallas Bar Foundation Life Fellow Member, Dallas Asian American Bar Association Member, Dallas Hispanic Bar Association Member, Dallas Women Lawyer’s Association Member, JL Turner Legal Association William “Mac” Taylor Inn of Court – Master Community Leadership Positions: Luncheon Co-Chair, Attorneys Serving the Community 2009-2010 Director, Bridge Breast Network 2015-2018
Committee for a Qualified Judiciary Dallas, Texas
About this LinkedIn group (Mary L. Scott a Member)
The CQJ is a non-partisan, non-profit, independent organization. It was formed in 1982 for the sole purpose of promoting a competent, fair and impartial justice system in Dallas County.
The CQJ provides the voters of Dallas with information needed to elect qualified judges in both political primaries, runoffs and in the general election.
The CQJ only endorses candidates determined to be qualified for the judgeship they seek. More than one candidate may be endorsed as qualified for any particular judgeship or no candidates may be endorsed.
The CQJ does not recommend to voters the best candidate in any race. Instead, the mission is only to serve as a gatekeeper to make sure that the public is advised about any or all candidates who are determined to be qualified.
Thanks to the support of many civic leaders, the CQJ was formed, with over one hundred civic leaders, lawyers, business men and business women at the first meeting. GOALS Selecting and electing qualified candidates for judicial office, regardless of political party on the basis of competency and merit was the original stated goal of the CQJ and continues to be the force which drives the organization.
Meanwhile in Edinburg, #TEXAS ; McAllen Lawyers Responsible for Texas Attorney Discipline Rally Together to Ensure Rogue Lawyers Vacation Schedule is Uninterrupted #lawtwitter #appellatetwitter #lawyer #Attorney #AuditTexas #RESTORETXhttps://t.co/6tqJcaZgD1 pic.twitter.com/Alpenezze1
— LawsInTexas (@lawsintexasusa) December 9, 2019
January 2019, in the case of Julie Lucio
This was published in the State Bar of Texas Journal in April 2019.
Majed Nachawati is a co-founding partner of Fears | Nachawati Law Firm.
Mr. Nachawati began his legal career as a two year judicial law clerk with The Thirteenth Court of Appeals.
His firm represents individuals and public entities throughout the nation in bad medical device and pharmaceutical cases, whistleblower cases, legal malpractice and barratry cases, antitrust matters and product defect cases.
His firm is heavily involved in pharmaceutical and medical device litigation—holding current leadership positions on the Plaintiff’s Steering Committee in the Bard and Cook IVC Filter Litigation.
His firm also represents multiple public and private entity clients in litigation arising from product defects.
Mr. Nachawati served as the Panel Chairman for The Grievance Committee for the State Bar of Texas, District 6, and was an appointed member for the past five years with his term ending in June 2019.
He serves as a Committee Member for The Dallas Bar Association’s (DBA) Legal Ethics Committee and Lawyer Referral Service Committee.
Mr. Nachawati also serves as member of The Board of Directors of Public Justice, The Board of Directors for the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and is a member of the Dallas Trial Lawyers Association.
He is an appointed member of The William ‘Mac” Taylor American Inn of Court and is licensed to practice law in Texas, Arkansas and the U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Eastern and Northern Districts of Texas as well as the U.S. District Court of Colorado.
Mr. Nachawati is an AAJ Leader’s Forum Member and remains a dedicated supporter of AAJ PAC.
Majed lives in North Dallas with his wife, daughter and son. In their free time, they enjoy traveling and dedicating time to worthy causes.
Bandit Alert: Inactive State Bar of Texas Lawyer Clay Vilt’s Still Filin’ Lawsuits in Harris County
A State Bar member on inactive status may not engage in the practice of law in Texas. (Tex. Govt. Code §81.053(a)).
It’s a Home Grab in Kingwood Texas
Brett Grabner is listed as owner of Grabner Land Co and Leisure Getaways. He’s retained Bandit Robbin’ Newark as lawyer in this land dispute.
Earnest Taylor Reads LIT and Immediately Retains Desperado Clay Vilt the Home Scavenger
If you’re a homeowner with no legal basis for your lawsuit but you want more time in your home, you can find a Desperado Texas Lawyer on LIT.
