Vancouver – The Law Society has suspended a Surrey lawyer for three months, after he admitted to getting caught up in a fraud scheme.
Sanjeev Sanj Rai failed to recognize that a series of deals put together by a local realtor between 2004 and 2005 amounted to mortgage fraud. The scheme involved property flips and other types of transactions that over-valued the properties.
“This is serious misconduct” stated Director of Investigations Stuart Cameron. “The Law Society requires that lawyers be on guard and avoid being used or taken in by fraudsters.”
The disciplinary action means that Rai is barred from practising law for three months and he must tell all his clients about the suspension.
“The suspension is designed to send a message to this lawyer and all other lawyers in the province that this conduct will not be tolerated, and will result in action being taken to protect the public” said Cameron.
Rai must also pay some of the Law Society’s costs related to the investigation and discipline process.
The Law Society of British Columbia regulates the more than 10,000 lawyers in the province, setting and enforcing standards of professional conduct that ensure the public is well-served by a competent, honourable legal profession.
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For further information or to arrange an interview contact:
Lesley Pritchard
Communications Officer
604-443-5708
lpritchard@lsbc.org
Robyn Crisanti
Manager, Communications and Public Affairs
604-697-5845
rcrisanti@lsbc.org