To Disbarment And Back

An unusual journey has led the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to grant reinstatement to a disbarred attorney.

The story begins in 2005 when the petitioner was 22 years old. 

He was hired by a company as a van driver but the job expanded into other responsibilities. 

Unfortunately, the real employer was the Lucchese La Cosa Nostra family. The employment eventually involved participation in a scheme to defraud the company and its shareholders.

While participating in the fraud, petitioner attended law school. 

An FBI investigation led to a search warrant and criminal investigation of petitioner.

He graduated law school in December 2009 and passed the bar exam in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He disclosed the warrant and pending investigation in the admissions process.

While Pennsylvania initially denied admission, he was granted admission in March 2011. 

The good news was dampened by his November 2011 indictment. 

He pled to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in September 2013 and was sentenced to five years.

He resigned from the Bar in November 2013; the court imposed disbarment in January 2014. 

Disciplinary Counsel did not oppose reinstatement and noted his “remorse and extensive cooperation in the prosecution of his co-conspirators.” 

Justice Mundy noted her dissent. (Mike Frisch)