Federal Conviction Leads To State Disbarment

A felony conviction has resulted in an automatic disbarment per this decision of the New York Appellate Division for the Third Judicial Department

In April 2015, following a jury trial in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, respondent was found guilty of three federal felonies, namely, using interstate mail and facilities to promote bribery (see 18 USC § 1952), racketeering in violation of the RICO statutes (see 18 USC § 1962 [c]) and wire fraud (see 18 USC § 1343).  These convictions all stemmed from respondent’s involvement in several bribery schemes undertaken in his former capacity as Chair of the Bergen County Democratic Organization. Respondent was sentenced to, among other things, concurrent 35-month prison terms on all counts. Respondent failed to report these convictions to this Court within 30 days thereof as required by Judiciary Law § 90 (4) (c) and Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters (22 NYCRR) § 1240.12 (a).

Disbarment is automatic because there is a “substantially similar” state felony to the crime of using the mail to promote bribery . (Mike Frisch)