State: Former Vancouver attorney exploited, abused woman

VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) – The state Department of Social and Health Services says it has found that a former Vancouver attorney financially exploited and mentally abused a vulnerable woman, whom she previously represented.

The Columbian reports the decision found was reached in September following a two-day administrative hearing, in which MarCine Miller Miles appealed the 2017 initial findings by DSHS Adult Protective Services.

Miles resigned from the Washington State Bar Association in lieu of disbarment in April 2017. Her resignation stemmed from an unrelated case, in which she altered an elderly woman’s will and bequeathed $10,000 to herself, according to the association’s findings. Miles denied wrongdoing.

In this case DSHS found Miles stole more than $4,600 from a 94-year-old former client among other findings.

Miles’ attorney Josephine Townsend says her client doesn’t agree with those findings and believes she was acting to protect the interest of her friend.