
    636 S.E.2d 620
    In the Matter of T. Andrew JOHNSON, Respondent.
    Supreme Court of South Carolina.
    Oct. 4, 2006.
   ORDER

Respondent pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to make false statements to a financial institution in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371.

The Office of Disciplinary Counsel petitions the Court to place respondent on interim suspension pursuant to Rule 17, RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR, and to appoint an attorney to protect respondent’s clients’ interests pursuant to Rule 31, RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR. Respondent consents to the interim suspension.

IT IS ORDERED that respondent’s license to practice law in this state is suspended until further order of the Court.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Stephen D. Searcy, Esquire, is hereby appointed to assume responsibility for respondent’s client files, trust account(s), escrow account(s), operating account(s), and any other law office account(s) respondent may maintain. Mr. Searcy shall take action as required by Rule 31, RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR, to protect the interests of respondent’s clients. Mr. Searcy may make disbursements from respondent’s trust account(s), escrow accounts), operating account(s), and any other law office accounts) respondent may maintain that are necessary to effectuate this appointment.

This Order, when served on any bank or other financial institution maintaining trust, escrow and/or operating accounts of respondent, shall serve as an injunction to prevent respondent from making withdrawals from the account(s) and shall further serve as notice to the bank or other financial institution that Stephen D. Searcy, Esquire, has been duly appointed by this Court.

Finally, this Order, when served on any office of the United States Postal Service, shall serve as notice that Stephen D. Searcy, Esquire, has been duly appointed by this Court and has the authority to receive respondent’s mail and the authority to direct that respondent’s mail be delivered to Mr. Searcy’s office.

This appointment shall be for a period of no longer than nine months unless request is made to this Court for an extension.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/ Jean H. Toal, C.J.

FOR THE COURT

PLEICONES, J., not participating.  