The Florida Bar v. Head

We have for review a referee’s report regarding alleged ethical breaches by John Vernon Head. We have jurisdiction. See art. V, § 15, Fla. Const. For the reasons discussed herein, we disapprove the referee’s recommended sanction of a sixty-day suspension and instead impose a one-year suspension.

FACTS

The Florida Bar filed a complaint against Head alleging that he engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation; knowingly made a false statement of material fact or law to a third person in the course of representing a client; engaged in acts in connection with the…