S.E. 2d
THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
In The Supreme Court
In the Matter of Van D.
Hipp, Jr., Respondent.
Opinion No. 24701
Submitted September 4, 1997 - Filed October 13, 1997
DEFINITE SUSPENSION
Lawrence E. Richter, Jr., of Charleston, for respondent.
Attorney General Charles Molony Condon and Senior Assistant
Attorney General James G. Bogle, Jr., both of Columbia, for
complainant,
PER CURIAM: In this attorney disciplinary matter, respondent
conditionally admits to engaging in misconduct and agrees to be suspended. We
accept the conditional admission and suspend him from the practice of law for
one (1) year.
Respondent pled guilty to seven counts of knowingly, willfully, and
unlawfully making and accepting a contribution in the name of another person,
and aiding and abetting others in the commission of that offense in violation of
2 U.S.C. § 441 (f) and 18 U.S.C. § 2. Respondent was sentenced to five years'
probation on each count, to run concurrently, and ordered to, among other
things, remain on home detention for ninety days, pay a $5,000 fine, and
perform 200 hours of community service.
A violation of the laws set forth above is a serious crime pursuant
to Rule 2(z) of the Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement (RLDE), Rule 413,
SCACR. By his conduct, respondent has violated Rule 8.4 of the Rules of
Professional Conduct, Rule 407, SCACR, by committing a criminal act that
reflects adversely upon his honesty, trustworthiness and fitness as a lawyer. He
has committed misconduct under Rule 7(a)(1), (4), and (5) of the RLDE, by
violating the Rules of Professional Conduct, committing a serious crime,
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IN THE MATTER OF HIPP
engaging in conduct tending to pollute the administration of justice or to bring
the legal profession into disrepute.
In our opinion, respondent's misconduct warrants a definite
suspension from the practice of law for one year. Accordingly, respondent is
suspended for one year. Within fifteen days of the date of this opinion,
respondent shall file an affidavit with the Clerk of Court showing that he has
complied with Rule 30, RLDE.
DEFINITE SUSPENSION.
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