Thursday, May 06, 2010

Stolen Art Watch, Leonardo Da Vinci Madonna, Marshal, "Don't Let The Buggers Get You Down" !!!


Solicitor faces probe over missing £638,000 clients’ funds

A SOLICITOR is to face a tribunal over allegations he took almost £640,000 from his clients.

Marshall Ronald will face a disciplinary hearing later this year following claims that he made improper withdrawals of up to £638,000.

The investigation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has continued its probe after he was last month acquitted of a plot to rob the £40m Leonardo Da Vinci painting, the Madonna of the Yarnwinder from a Scottish castle.

No date for the hearing has been set, but it is likely to take place in autumn.

If wrongdoing is proven, Mr Ronald from Up Holland, near Skelmersdale, could either be reprimanded, fined £5,000 per allegation, suspended from practice or struck off.

The ECHO can also reveal the 53-year-old does not currently hold a practising solicitor registration meaning he is not entitled to work as a solicitor.

A spokesman for the SRA said: “We have lodged proceedings against Mr Ronald and the tribunal continues regardless of his recent criminal acquittal,”

Last month, Mr Ronald, along with private investigators Robert Graham, 55, of Gaw Hill Lane, Aughton, and John Doyle, 58, of Summerswood Lane, Halsall, were cleared of an audacious plot to steal the multi-million pound Da Vinci painting.

It was stolen from Drumlanrig Castle on the Duke of Buccleuch's estate in Dumfriesshire in 2003.

Two men posing as tourists, overpowered a female member of staff before climbing out a window with the artwork.

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