Attorney Kenneth Darty of Statesville, NC; lying tax cheat

The state of North Carolina presented Kenneth B. Darty with a law license in 1994 after he graduated from Wake Forest University Law School.

The Grievance Committee of the North Carolina State Bar found Kenny guilty of the following misconduct.

• Knowingly and voluntarily failed to file his individual federal income tax returns for the years 1998, 1999 and 2000 at the time or times required by law
• Knowingly and voluntarily failed to file his state income tax returns for the years 1998, 1999 and 2000 at the time or times required by law
• Failure to file federal and state income tax returns on a timely basis was willfull
• Failed to fully disclose to client in writing the actual terms and conditions of their fee agreement with respect to the disposition of the client’s property
• Failed to advise his client in his fee agreement to pay the client the difference between the value of client’s property and his fees less any costs of repairs to the property in a manner that could be reasonably understood by the client
• Committed criminal acts that reflect adversely on trustworthiness, honesty or fitness as a lawyer 
• Failed to advise client in writing that she might want to seek independent advice regarding signing off on her property to pay Kenny’s claimed legal fees
• Failed to provide client with a reasonable opportunity to obtain independent legal advice before Kenny accepted the deed to his cliernt’s property to pay his future legal fees
• Falsely claimed to be represented by two (2) attorneys regarding two motions he filed with trial court
• Failed to pay any amount for the difference in value between the client’s property and Kenny’s fee
• Kenny treated the property as his since accepting and recording the deed
• Kenny rented the property and treated the rent money as his personal funds
• Engaged in a pattern of misconduct
• Kenny listed the property for sale for an amount at or above the tax value of the property
• Engaged in conduct involving fraud, deceit, dishonesty or misrepresentation
• Refused to acknowledge his violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct
• Obtained adverse ownership interest in a client’s property without full disclosure to and consent of the client
• Falsely advised client his flat fee for services was non-refundable
• Has federal tax lien on record in Iredell County that will require substantial payment of back taxes, penalties and interest to clear up
• Regularly displayed an attitude of anger, resentment and lack of respect toward his colleagues and the courts
• Regularly blames others for his own actions
• Fails to accept responsibility for his own conduct for the misconduct set forth herein
• Caused substantial harm to the administration of justice

As one would suspect, this wasn’t Kenny’s First bite at the Attorney Misfit Apple Tree. He previously received a complimentary censure by a trial court judge after being found in contempt of court. He was also held in contempt of court regarding his personal domestic matter with his former spouse on three (3) different occasions in 2001, 2003 and 2004.

As a consequence of his misconduct the cheerleaders for Attorney Misfits sitting on the Grievance Committee of the North Carolina State Bar punished Kenny by gifting him with a complimentary stayed 2-year suspension of his law license.

In truth, the comedians sitting on the Grievance Committee didn’t mete out any meaningful punishment to Kenny.

As we speak (ca. July 2015) Kenny practices with the Law Offices of Kenneth B. Darty at 210 East Water Street in Statesville, North Carolina.