Local attorney Billar held in contempt

State Bar claims he failed to comply with probe

Yuma attorney Robert C. Billar has been held in contempt and placed on interim suspension for reportedly failing to comply with a State Bar investigation that seeks an accounting for approximately $54,000 a client entrusted to him, State Bar of Arizona officials say.

According to a State Bar of Arizona news release, Billar failed to comply with the subpoena issued for his deposition and to produce financial records.

Billar did not file an objection with the disciplinary clerk, the release states. The release also shows that the presiding disciplinary judge ordered him to appear on March 13 of this year to show cause as to why he should not be held in contempt for his failure to comply with the subpoenas.

It is stated in the release that separate subpoenas were issued on Dec. 28 of last year and Jan 20 of 2018.

“Billar neither sought a protective order, nor objected to the subpoenas, as allowed by Supreme Court Rule,” the release states, adding that “he offered no evidence that he tried or was unable to provide the subpoenaed discovery for the Bar’s investigation.”

State Bar of Arizona officials say his “failure to supply the required documents was done knowingly.”

Currently, the Bar’s investigation seeks an accounting for approximately $54,000 a client entrusted to Billar, which “he then deposited into his trust account,” the release says.

Officials with the State Bar say that after reportedly using approximately $14,000 in defense costs and fees, “Billar claims to have deposited the balance of $40,000 for the client’s benefit in a bank account he failed to identify.”

His interim suspension shall be enforced until the final disposition of all ending proceedings against him.

The Bar’s release indicates that an order was filed finding Billar in contempt. The release states that it may be purged by the full and complete delivery of the documents sought by the organization.

Additionally, it was ordered that all trust and operating accounts be frozen, restraining him from making withdrawal of funds in any manner without prior approval.

His interim suspension was effective March 13 of this year.