Lawyer Faces Disciplinary Action for Certifying Forged Documents
A solicitor has broken down at a tribunal after admitting to certifying documents that were later found to be forged, nearly costing an elderly couple their property.
Former Tamworth solicitor Tina Dawson faced disciplinary proceedings at the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) on Wednesday. The proceedings were initiated by the Law Society of NSW.
Dawson certified documents that were later revealed to be forged, in a scheme orchestrated by conman Tony Lyons. The forged documents were used in an attempt to defraud Kenneth and Cheryl Carr, an elderly couple, out of their property.
Lyons, who had previously worked with Dawson, pleaded guilty to dishonesty offences in September 2020. He was sentenced to 14 months' imprisonment with a non-parole period. The Carrs narrowly avoided losing their home due to Lyons' fraudulent activities and Dawson's role in certifying the documents.
Dawson was a central figure in a sad, drawn-out saga that culminated in arduous Supreme Court litigation, which was both costly and traumatic for the two victims. Lyons relied on the goodwill and trusting nature of Ken and Cheryl to hand over key documents. The couple had never met Dawson and were unaware that she had certified the documents until much later. The case highlights the devastating impact of fraud and the importance of due diligence in legal transactions.