More clients come forward after Wichita attorney disappears into them -

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH)-A client tells FactFinder 12 that he has been contacted by an investigator investigating Wichita attorney Devoe Treadwell.

Clients accuse Treadwell of taking their money and then failing to show up to represent them. The Office of the Disciplinary Administrator investigates the allegations against the Kansas attorneys, but does not confirm active investigations.

from our first story aired last weekWe’re hearing more people say Treadwell took their money, too.

Eight thousand dollars. She wanted $10,000 but when she found out we could pay up front, she lowered it to eight. We wrote a check that day,” said Steve Bugner, who hired Treadwell to represent him.

He said Treadwell appeared for a court hearing.

“That was the last time I spoke to him,” Bugner said.

Like other clients we’ve spoken with, Bugner said he was unable to reach Treadwell at his downtown Wichita office.

“We keep driving. That’s when my wife saw the UPS sticky notes on the door. That was in November and December of last year,” Bugner said.

Another client, who wanted to protect his identity, paid even more.

“My previous court date was in August. He was there for it, but I never heard from him again,” said the man who paid Treadwell $20,000 and has a receipt to prove it. Both men said they have filed complaints with the state disciplinary office. Bugner said that he has been interviewed by an investigator.

Unlike other clients, Bugner found Treadwell in his office one day.

“He was not happy to see us. He asked me if we wanted a refund,” Bugner said.

Bugner said they were fired from the office, but after sending Treadwell a certified letter requesting a refund, they received a check for $7,500.

Although he got most of his money back, he knows that other customers haven’t received anything.

“I don’t know what kind of problems Mr. Treadwell is having, but I think he knows that you don’t leave people hanging like you did… That’s really wrong,” Bugner said.

Treadwell declined to answer questions when we caught up with him at his home earlier this month. Treadwell is still listed in “good rights” with the Kansas Judicial Center Bar Registry. No recent disciplinary action has been taken against Treadwell, but the current investigations would not be public.

However, the Wichita Bar Association is now working with affected clients. They encourage those clients to contact their office at [email protected] or 316-263-2251.

Financial assistance may also be available to clients through the Kansas Client Protection Fund. The fund, overseen by a commission, pays people who suffer financial loss as a result of the dishonest actions of Kansas lawyers. Clients can file complaints against Kansas licensed attorneys. Those complaints must be in writing and filed with the Office of the Disciplinary Administrator. Information can be found at www.kscourts.org.