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THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

In The Supreme Court

In the Matter of Van D.

Hipp, Jr., Respondent.

Opinion No. 24701

Submitted September 4, 1997 - Filed October 13, 1997

DEFINITE SUSPENSION

Lawrence E. Richter, Jr., of Charleston, for respondent.

Attorney General Charles Molony Condon and Senior Assistant

Attorney General James G. Bogle, Jr., both of Columbia, for

complainant,

PER CURIAM: In this attorney disciplinary matter, respondent

conditionally admits to engaging in misconduct and agrees to be suspended. We

accept the conditional admission and suspend him from the practice of law for

one (1) year.

Respondent pled guilty to seven counts of knowingly, willfully, and

unlawfully making and accepting a contribution in the name of another person,

and aiding and abetting others in the commission of that offense in violation of

2 U.S.C. § 441 (f) and 18 U.S.C. § 2. Respondent was sentenced to five years'

probation on each count, to run concurrently, and ordered to, among other

things, remain on home detention for ninety days, pay a $5,000 fine, and

perform 200 hours of community service.

A violation of the laws set forth above is a serious crime pursuant

to Rule 2(z) of the Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement (RLDE), Rule 413,

SCACR. By his conduct, respondent has violated Rule 8.4 of the Rules of

Professional Conduct, Rule 407, SCACR, by committing a criminal act that

reflects adversely upon his honesty, trustworthiness and fitness as a lawyer. He

has committed misconduct under Rule 7(a)(1), (4), and (5) of the RLDE, by

violating the Rules of Professional Conduct, committing a serious crime,

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engaging in conduct tending to pollute the administration of justice or to bring

the legal profession into disrepute.

In our opinion, respondent's misconduct warrants a definite

suspension from the practice of law for one year. Accordingly, respondent is

suspended for one year. Within fifteen days of the date of this opinion,

respondent shall file an affidavit with the Clerk of Court showing that he has

complied with Rule 30, RLDE.

DEFINITE SUSPENSION.

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