A political ally of Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett who makes nearly $200,000 from the county to “coordinate communication” among law enforcement agencies could face potential disbarment for taking $20,000 from a trust account for his legal clients, court records show. Former County Councilman Michael Subin — who maintains a Rockville law firm despite his six-figure salary with the county —
“disbursed approximately $20,000 to himself from [his firm’s] trust account” and “was unable to identify the client matter to which the disbursements related,” according to a complaint filed by the Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland, which oversees the conduct of lawyers practicing in the state.
The allegation is a blow to the director of the county’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Commission, where Subin is slated to earn $195,000 in a post formerly filled by employees already on staff.
According to court records, Subin took a $5,000 retainer from a client and then failed to promptly return the unearned portion after the relationship was terminated. Subin also “used trust funds held on behalf of [other clients] for unauthorized purposes,” including “personal purposes,” the complaint states.
The former councilman, who was voted into office 25 years ago with Leggett, denied that he did anything wrong.
“Is there any money that has to be returned? The answer is no,” Subin said. “It was a bookkeeping error.”
Lawyers with the commission said they could not comment on the ongoing case. A Montgomery County Circuit Court judge is expected to rule on the legal merits of the case.
Any punishment for Subin would be determined by the Maryland Court of Appeals, which can recommend disbarment, suspension or a reprimand.
The Washington Examiner first reported Subin’s government salary and that he handled nearly 90 cases for his private law firm while collecting his taxpayer-funded paychecks ?– to head a commission that formally meets four times a year.
After that revelation, Leggett pushed through a nearly $40,000 raise for Subin by adding zoning duties to his role.
Court documents show that Subin had two federal liens placed on his Gaithersburg home for unpaid taxes. Both cases have since been closed.
