Attorney Regulation.
The Presiding Disciplinary Judge approved a Conditional Admission of Misconduct submitted by the parties and publicly censured Harold F. Riebesell (Attorney Registration No. 00719), with conditions, effective October 1, 2007. Respondent borrowed $20,000.00 from a client pursuant to terms that were not fair and reasonable to the client under the circumstances. He also failed to inform the client that the use of independent counsel might be advisable. Respondent ultimately filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy and never repaid the $20,000.00 plus interest owed to his client. His misconduct constituted grounds for the imposition of discipline pursuant to C.R.C.P. 251.5 and violated Colo. RPC 1.8. Respondent has been ordered to fully repay his client within six months of the PDJ's order approving the Conditional Admission of Misconduct.