| Description: |
Christopher Cason (WSBA No. 28459, admitted 1998, of Seattle was disbarred effective March 26, 2003, by order of the Supreme Court following a default hearing. This discipline was based on his conduct in 2001 and 2002 involving making unauthorized personal charges on his employer’s credit card or other firm accounts and criminal conduct prior to admission to the bar.
In 1991, prior to admission to the Washington State Bar Association, Mr. Cason was convicted of felony Misapplication of Bank Funds, a violation of 18 USC § 656.
Between July and August 2001, Mr. Cason made $463.87 in unauthorized personal charges on his employer’s credit card. Mr. Cason was employed as an associate at a law firm (firm). In August 2001, the firm cancelled the credit card and accepted Mr. Cason’s explanation that his unauthorized charges were inadvertent. The firm obtained a replacement credit card. Between October and December 2001, Mr. Cason made $1,530.43 in unauthorized personal charges to the firm’s replacement credit card.
In early December 2001, Mr. Cason started working at a different law firm. During his employment, he incurred approximately $12,589.25 in Lexis-Nexis charges using his prior employer’s password. He also incurred $1,800 in Lexis Nexis fees that were unrelated to his current employment. Mr. Cason also opened an unauthorized account with a computer company and purchased a flat screen monitor. He also applied for an unauthorized account in the firm’s name with Amazon.com.
Mr. Cason’s conduct violated RPCs 8.4(b) prohibiting committing a criminal act involving dishonesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects [felony of Misapplication of Bank Funds]; and 8.4 (c), prohibiting conduct involving dishonesty, deceit, fraud or misrepresentation; RLD 1.1(i), prohibiting committing an act involving moral turpitude, dishonesty or corruption; and RLD 1.1(p), prohibiting conduct demonstrating unfitness to practice law.
Christine Gray represented the Bar Association. Mr. Cason represented himself. Kelby Fletcher was the Hearing Officer.
|