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December 19, 2012 (Recessed Meeting) Page 1365 <br />decision that we're being faced with is one that on the face of it, it may be <br />valid, but in the application of the bond itself, and not the application to <br />get a bond, if a claim is made on the bond - then how is the company going to <br />perceive the lack of information or the omission of the information that we <br />specifically requested? That is the essence of what we're looking at because <br />when you file an application that is your representation of all the <br />information that they need to make or to determine in regards to whether to <br />bond somebody, whether to insure somebody. And what my concern is and from <br />the very first day that we started asking these questions is it needs to be <br />full disclosure. Because if it is not full disclosure, those things which we <br />know or those things that we reasonably through due diligence would know, if <br />that would affect the integrity of the bond, then it comes back on to each <br />and every one of us that voted for the bond to the person who is responsible <br />- from what Mr. Koch said up to $50,000 per occurrence for the term of the <br />elected position or the position. So that what my concerns are at this point <br />in time is just that. Is that we have a vague statement about a disciplinary <br />proceeding, not a suspension - and there's a difference. There is a <br />difference being subject to an administrative proceeding resulting in <br />disciplinary action and being suspended. You can be suspended from the <br />practice of law for a number of reasons, you can be subject to an <br />administrative proceeding resulting in disciplinary action for a number of <br />reasons - you could, you could be reprimanded. (Inaudible) what I've told <br />you today, there is a reprimand, that is a disciplinary proceeding that does <br />not result in a suspension, or that is not resulted in a suspension and has <br />not resulted in a disbarment. So what I'm concerned about is the clarity in <br />which we asked information to be presented and that information was not <br />relayed to the bonding company. So that we are sitting in a position to make <br />a determination about whether a bond is sufficient in surety, it would be <br />nice to be able to have that information to be clear, no questions, <br />unequivocal. Nothing no greyer, at this point in time, it ought to be black <br />and white. I thought it was pretty black and white the way we raised it and <br />the way we talked about it. We don't have that in front of us so that I <br />would not be in favor of this bond - not that it's on the face not valid, but <br />I don't think that the full disclosure and full information has been provided <br />and I would not be able to vote for the bond (inaudible). <br />Small: I'd like to respond to that, Mr. White. First of all, when we were <br />here on November 29 or November 30 there were absolutely no concerns about <br />any state bar action, the concerns of the board at that particular time were <br />the dates of the bond from Western. We had a lengthy discussion about the <br />fact that the original bond from Western was to expire on December 3, 2016 <br />and the other item that we discussed on that particular date was the fact <br />that the bond was not made out to both the State of North Carolina and <br />Cabarrus County. Once those problems were amended and I returned with a new <br />bond on December 3 rd you raised the issue of state bar proceedings. Now, at <br />some point in time this board and its attorney have to get together and come <br />to a consensus because the information I got from your attorney, Mr. Koch, <br />was that he wanted an amended application with administrative proceeding, the <br />North Carolina State Bar and a case number. That's what you have in front of <br />you. Now - <br />White: Let's stop right there. Mr. Koch, did you ever speak to Mr. Small <br />about this amended application, directly? <br />Koch: No. <br />White: Okay, so Mr. Small you're saying that Mr. Koch told you this. That's <br />- that's not what happened. <br />Small: Mr. White, that's exactly what happened because the information was <br />given to Mr. Lewis while Mr. Lewis was considering whether or not to make an <br />appointment. <br />White: To make - okay. <br />Small: Now, if Mr. Koch is going to represent the interest and the wishes of <br />this board then I'm entitled to be able to rely on those representations. <br />Otherwise, what we have is bad faith. <br />White: I do not agree with that assessment. <br />(Multiple people speaking.) <br />Poole: Excuse me, I'm sorry, please I understand that you have concerns here <br />- you're here to listen at this point in time. Please don't interrupt <br />everybody. <br />Small: So the information that you have provided today, Mr. White is not <br />(inaudible). <br />White: The information - when we were here in the meeting, Mr. Small we <br />asked three things: we asked for full disclosure in regards to your <br />suspension from the bar - <br />Small: And you have that several times. You have it here in front of you. <br />White: And then number two is that we asked for you to put in the <br />application about the bond being denied, that you were denied on a bond. And <br />that is not in this application - anywhere on this application. <br />Small: It's not on - it's not on the application, Mr. White but, but these <br />insurance agents are certainly fully aware of everything that they need to <br />know. <br />