A former employee in the residential property department of a stock exchange-listed firm has been banned for posing as someone who could carry out matrimonial work.
A Solicitors Regulation Authority notice states that Rusty Adams was employed by Gateley at its Guildford office as a completions manager in its residential development unit. But following an SRA investigation, it was found that he misled someone into falsely believing he could do work on their divorce.
Adams induced the individual to pay money directly to him under the pretence of acting for him in the divorce. He did not undertake any work in relation to the matter.
The regulator found that Adams, a non-solicitor, acted dishonesty and breached two SRA principles. He was made subject to a disqualification order under section 99 of the Legal Services Act, preventing him from being head of legal practice, manager or employee of any regulated firm.
Adams was also ordered to pay £1,350 costs.
In a statement, Gateley said: 'We confirm that Rusty Adams was employed by Gateley Plc for a short time between January to July 2021, when he was dismissed for gross misconduct. In accordance with our regulatory obligations we reported the matter to the SRA.'
