The Florida Bar v. David Leonard Ross

We have for review a referee’s report recommending that Respondent David Leonard Ross be found guilty of professional misconduct.1 The referee recommended a sanction of a six-month suspension. We approve the referee’s findings of fact and recommendations of guilt; however, we disapprove the referee’s recommended sanction. Based on case law and the Florida Standards for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions, we conclude that the appropriate sanction is a three-year suspension.

BACKGROUND

The Florida Bar filed a two-count complaint against Respondent David Leonard Ross alleging that he engaged in several…