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Michael R. Varble of Poughkeepsie was suspended on July 9, 2018, following accusations that he kept more than $32,000 in client fees who ceased doing business with his firm, according to court documents.
In court documents issued on Thursday, Varble acknowledged charges of several cases of professional misconduct including failure to communicate with clients, neglect, and failure to return unearned fees.
Following his suspension last year, Varble failed to comply with demands from the Grievance Committee for the state's 9th Judicial District, the documents report.
Following the suspension, he submitted an application to resign as an attorney, and stated that he could not "successfully defend himself against the charges and allegations based upon the facts and circumstances of professional conduct."
The courts had received at least 18 complaints from clients of Varble who claimed that he did not respond to calls or efforts to see him and in at least 11 cases he did not refund money to clients.
Varble is no longer allowed to practice law or provide legal opinions. The court documents say if he applies for reinstatement at a later date, Varble will have to prove he has repaid clients.
Court documents show, that although he acknowledged he didn't return fees, he stated that he “did not include charges that he willfully misappropriated or misapplied money."
The courts have discontinued any disciplinary proceedings following his disbarment.
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