In re Grimes

Milton Charles Grimes, admitted to to practice in 1974, pled guilty in 1988 to three counts of willfully failing to file a tax return. (Rev. & Tax. Code, § 19401.) We referred the matter to the State Bar for a hearing, report and recommendation on the question whether the facts and circumstances surrounding his offenses involved moral turpitude or other misconduct warranting discipline and, if so found, what discipline should be imposed.

The State Bar’s report has now been filed. The review department concluded that his misconduct did not involve moral turpitude but did warrant discipline. It was wilful within the meaning of Business and Professions Code section 6103 and constituted a violation of his oath and duties as an attorney (Bus. & Prof. Code, § 6068) as well as former rule 8-101, Rules of Professional Conduct. The review department recommended that he be suspended for two years, that the order of suspension be stayed, and that he be placed on probation for two years on conditions including sixty days’ actual suspension. It is further recommended that he take and pass the Professional Responsibility Examination.

Grimes has filed written objections but he did not…