| Description: |
Clinton M. Coons (WSBA No. 27246, admitted 1997), of Kent, was ordered to receive a reprimand on May 12, 2008, following approval of a stipulation by a hearing officer. This discipline resulted from engaging in conduct that led to conviction of a misdemeanor under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Mr. Coons co-owned and operated Business Office Suite Services (BOSS), which provided business services such as bookkeeping functions, paralegal support and office space to clients. Mr. Coons mostly handled estate-planning matters, document preparation, powers of attorney, tax preparation, and setting up Limited Liability Corporations (LLCs). During the fiscal year ending March 31, 2004, BOSS failed to file an income-tax return. Mr. Coons knew that he had to timely file BOSS’s tax return and timely pay the income taxes due, and intentionally failed to do so. The amount of tax due was $54,667. BOSS initially did not file the tax return based on erroneous advice from accountants as to whether any taxes were owed. In 2005, the IRS began investigating BOSS in connection with its tax filing and reporting requirements. As a result of the IRS inquiry, BOSS hired a forensic accountant to reconstruct the company’s financial records to determine if it had any tax liabilities during fiscal year 2004. The IRS was aware of this process, which took two years and extended past the IRS-imposed deadline. BOSS did not file the tax returns before the deadline because the directors were unsure of the amount due.
In November 2006, Mr. Coons was charged with violating 26 U.S.C. § 7203, a misdemeanor. Mr. Coons pleaded guilty in May 2007. He was placed on probation for three years and was required to report his conviction to the Bar Association. The delinquent tax return has been filed and all back taxes and penalties have been paid.
Mr. Coons’s conduct violated RPC 8.4(b), prohibiting a lawyer from committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects.
Joanne S. Abelson represented the Bar Association. Paige Davis represented Mr. Coons. |