Former Tauranga barrister Vinay Deobhakta has been struck off the roll of barristers and solicitors for misconduct in his dealings with a former client, but he is vowing to fight the decision.
The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal said it had ordered the action after it found Mr Deobhakta guilty of misconduct after he acted for a client being pursued by Inland Revenue for unpaid taxes.
He failed to account for $4000 in cash given to him by his client, suggested a $21,000 client cheque payable to Inland Revenue be diverted to another purpose of "no real value" to the client.
He also misled the client and sent him abusive text messages after he instructed another lawyer.
The tribunal has ordered Mr Deobhakta to pay $4000 compensation to the client, pay $25,903 costs and reimburse hearing costs of $6346. The charges arose over Mr Deobhakta's conduct between May 2009 and April 2010, and he defended his actions at a reserved decision defended hearing in Auckland on November 19, 2013.