A government attorney whose alleged mishandling of client funds was referred to police by a judge has set up a new law firm.

Senior Crown counsel Myron Simmons applied to incorporate Onyx Law Limited last month, according to a published notice.

Mr Simmons, husband of Kathy Lynn Simmons, the Attorney-General, was accused of “suspicious conduct” in his handling of client funds when he was previously in private practice.

A civil court judgment detailing how he failed to pay $52,000 in stamp duty on behalf of clients Gena and Richard Robinson was referred by a judge to detectives in April 2022.

Puisne Judge Larry Mussenden wrote “ … it appears to me that the facts set out in the statement of claim give rise to suspicious conduct by the defendant in respect of his handling of client funds entrusted to him …

“Therefore, I am satisfied that it is just that I should refer this matter to the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions for any action as appropriate …”

Police said in February the matter could not be “advanced” because the Robinsons did not “come forward and provide a statement of complaint”.

Mr Simmons still appears on Bermuda Bar Association’s list of practising members as a government lawyer.

The list, which was updated last Wednesday, states that he is allowed to practise law without a practising certificate, as he works at the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

The Ministry of Legal Affairs has refused to answer questions about whether the civil court judgment or police referral led to any disciplinary action against Mr Simmons or whether he remains a civil servant.

A Ministry of Legal Affairs spokeswoman said: “We do not comment on personnel matters.”

It wasn’t possible to reach Mr Simmons for comment.

The Bar Association did not respond to a request for contact details for Onyx.

A Bar Association spokeswoman previously said the body’s professional conduct committee would investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute any lawyer who failed to meet required standards.

However, she said, such matters must remain private unless a court order was published after a tribunal or an accused attorney asked for their case to be heard in public.