George Crawford

DCCA Opinion (March 16, 2023)

Summary: In re George W. Crawford II. Bar No. 311639. March 16, 2023. The D.C. Court of Appeals suspended Crawford for six months, with reinstatement conditioned on a showing of fitness, payment of any outstanding sanctions, and compliance with any pending court orders. Crawford was charged with multiple rule violations relating to his failure to pay a civil judgment against him or comply with a subsequent settlement agreement. Crawford was sued in D.C. Superior Court as the guarantor of a defaulted loan. After two years of litigation, the court entered summary judgment against Crawford in the amount of $1,158,701.40. Crawford agreed to pay the plaintiffs $10,000 to settle the matter, but over the next six years, he engaged in a course of obstructionist behavior to avoid paying. As a result, he was incarcerated for civil contempt. By his actions Crawford did not meet his responsibilities as an officer of the court and repeatedly violated Rules 3.1, 3.3(a)(1), 3.4(c), 8.4(a), 8.4(c), and 8.4(d).

DCCA Order (February 15, 2023)

Summary: In re George W. Crawford, II. Bar No. 311639. February 15, 2023. Crawford was suspended on an interim basis pursuant to D.C. Bar R. XI, § 9(g), pending the Court’s consideration of the Board on Professional Responsibility’s December 9, 2022, recommendation that he be suspended for six months, with reinstatement conditioned upon (i) a showing of his fitness to practice law; (ii) payment of any outstanding sanctions awards; and (iii) compliance with any pending court orders.

Board Report and Orders (December 9, 2022)

Summary: In re George W. Crawford II. Bar No. 311639. December 9, 2022. The Board on Professional Responsibility recommended that the D.C. Court of Appeals suspend Crawford for six months, with reinstatement conditioned upon a showing of fitness, payment of any outstanding sanctions, and compliance with any pending court orders. Crawford’s misconduct related to a civil judgment against him and a subsequent settlement agreement. Specifically, Crawford was sued in D.C. Superior Court because he had agreed to be a guarantor for funds lent to co-defendants who defaulted on the loans. After two years of litigation, the court granted a motion for summary judgment against Crawford and entered a judgment against him in the amount of $1,158,701.40. In a later settlement, Crawford agreed to pay $10,000 to the plaintiffs, instead of the judgment. Over the next six years, Crawford engaged in obstructionist behaviors to avoid payment of the settlement. As a result, he was incarcerated for civil contempt. Crawford did not meet his responsibilities as an officer of the court and repeatedly violated Rules 3.1, 3.3(a)(1), 3.4(c), 8.4(a), and 8.4(d).

Hearing Committee Report (October 8, 2021)

Summary: Not yet available.