Michael Dermott Yarwood was found guilty of misappropriating money provided by his clients for the payment of stamp duty on the purchase of real property or businesses, Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser said.
Mr Yarwood pleaded guilty in the District Court in Brisbane to one count of uttering false documents and two counts of dishonestly applying money on a number of occasions between 2004 and 2007, he said.
``This conviction serves as a warning to any other fraudulent solicitors attempting to defraud the state,'' Mr Fraser said.
``The vast majority of individuals and businesses in Queensland do the right thing and abide by our taxation laws.
``We will not stand idly by and allow individuals to abuse the law and not pay their fair share.''
Yarwood was sentenced to four years in jail, suspended after 18 months.
In sentencing Mr Yarwood, Judge O'Brien referred to the high level of honesty expected of a solicitor.
