Orson Elrington may face forgery charge if former client comes forward, say police

Published by [email protected] at August 8, 2024

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Posted: Thursday, August 8, 2024. 1:27 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: Fallout from the General Legal Council decision in April against embattled attorney Orson J. Elrington continues, as he could face another criminal complaint.

The Council found inconsistencies in Elrington’s documentation, noting that signatures on the alleged second engagement letter appeared identical to the first, suggesting possible forgery. This raised concerns about Elrington’s credibility and conduct as an attorney.

The G.L.C. had indicated that it would forward to the police its suspicion of forgery of documents concerning the complaint filed by Dangriga-based pastor Dozie Ifeanyichineke. On Tuesday, Police Commissioner, Chester Williams, clarified that the pastor himself, however, still needs to file a report with the police: “Even if the G.L.C. would refer the matter to us, we’d still need to get a statement from the virtual complainant. The G.L.C. cannot be the complainant in the particular matter, especially if they’re alleging that the signature forged was that of Pastor Dozie. We need to get statements from him and specific signatures from him so that it can be compared to ascertain if the signature that the G.L.C. believes was forged was actually forged.”

Pastor Dozie, as he is known, successfully complained to the GLC of grave professional misconduct on the part of Elrington for his handling of a settlement with the Social Security Board (SSB) following a court case that declared unconstitutional and discriminatory the provision of survivor’s grant benefits for which he had applied. Pastor Dozie said he had not consented to the nearly $47,000 settlement Elrington accepted on his behalf, and as of his complaint had yet to receive it. The case was taken on a pro bono, contingency basis.

In July, the Council ruled that Elrington must pay Pastor Dozie the outstanding funds, which Elrington said he had done, and fifteen thousand dollars in fines to the Registrar due by August 30.

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