S.E. 2d
THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
In The Supreme Court
In the Matter of William
K. Charles., III, Respondent.
Opinion No. 24968
Submitted June 29,,1999 - Filed July 12, 1999
DEFINITE SUSPENSION
William K. Charles, of Greenwood, pro se.
Henry B. Richardson, Jr., of Columbia, for the Office
of the Disciplinary Counsel.
PER CURIAM: In this attorney disciplinary matter, respondent
and Disciplinary Counsel have entered into an agreement under Rule 21,
RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR. In the agreement, respondent admits misconduct
and consents to be suspended from the practice of law for ninety days. We
accept the agreement.
Respondent pled guilty to one count of failing to make and file a
South Carolina Income Tax Return for tax year 1993 in violation of S.C.
Code Ann. 12-54-40(b)(6)(c) (Supp. 1998). Respondent was given a
suspended sentence of ninety (90) days in prison.
The failure to file a tax return is a serious crime as set forth in
Rule 2(z), RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR. By his conduct, respondent has violated
Rule 8.4 of the Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 407, SCACR, and Rule
7(a)(4), RLDE, by committing a serious crime that refiects adversely upon his
honesty, trustworthiness and fitness as a lawyer and has violated Rule
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IN THE MATTER OF CHARLES
7(a)(5) and (6), RLDE, by engaging in conduct tending to bring the courts or
legal profession into disrepute and violating the oath of office he took upon
admission to the practice of law in this State.
In our opinion, respondent's misconduct warrants a definite
suspension from the practice of law for ninety days. Accordingly, respondent
is suspended for ninety days, retroactive to June 9, 1999, the date of his
interim suspension. 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, Rule 413, SCACR.
DEFINITE SUSPENSION.
Moore, A.J., not participating
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