Disciplinary Action

The Real Estate Licensing Board revoked the broker's license of BRUCE RUFFIN of Charlotte. Mr. Ruffin was convicted in Federal Court of 16 counts of bankruptcy fraud and making false statements to the bankruptcy court.

The Licensing Board revoked the broker's license of FORREST C. SHAW, 11, of Fayetteville. Mr. Shaw was convicted in the Superior Court of Cumberland County of four counts of obtaining money by false pretense in a real estate transaction.

The Licensing Board revoked the broker's license of HOWARD C. BURNETTE of Fayetteville for failing to disclose numerous worthless check convictions on his application for a real estate license. The Board also found that after he was licensed Mr. Burnette was convicted on additional counts of issuing worthless checks.

The Licensing Board suspended the broker's license of WILLIAM BARBRE, JR., of Greenville for one year. Mr. Barbre withdrew an earnest money deposit from his escrow account and converted the funds to his own use. He later returned the funds to the owners.

The Licensing Board suspended the broker's license of JOHN P. ROBINSON, JR., of Salisbury for six months, and placed him on probation for an additional 18 months for withdrawing funds from his trust account for personal use. After the Board's auditor detected the shortage, Mr. Robinson restored the necessary funds to his trust account. The Board also ordered Mr. Robinson to take its trust account course.

The Licensing Board suspended the broker's license of ALBERT J. GREGOR of Pinehurst for two months and placed him on probation for an additional four months. Mr. Gregor disbursed a disputed earnest money deposit to the buyers in a real estate transaction over the objection of the sellers. This violated one of the Board's regulations. The Board also found that Mr. Gregor had drafted the purchase contract in a vague manner that created the dispute. The Board further ordered Mr. Gregor to restore the disputed deposit to his trust account and take the Board's trust account course.