Reciprocal Sanction For Criminal Conduct

A reciprocal sanction of a 90-day suspension has been imposed by the Colorado Presiding Disciplinary Judge

This reciprocal discipline case arose out of discipline imposed upon Maffeo in California. On March 22, 2023, the California State Bar Court suspended Maffeo for one year, stayed the suspension, and placed Maffeo on a one-year period of probation. Under the California order, Maffeo was suspended from the practice of law for the first ninety days of his probation. The discipline was premised on Maffeo’s October 2013 guilty plea and convictions in Colorado for felony menacing and for knowingly or recklessly causing child abuse, a misdemeanor. Maffeo was placed on a six-year period of probation, which requires him to seek domestic violence and mental health evaluations and treatment; complete 180 days of electronic home monitoring and ninety days of work release; and maintain full time employment.

Maffeo’s convictions are predicated on the following admitted facts. In February 2021, Maffeo had an argument with his former spouse at her home in Boulder. Their three children were present. During the altercation, Maffeo grabbed his former spouse’s wrist to look at her cell phone. He then recorded her with his cell phone and threatened her. Maffeo’s former spouse took his phone and went to another room. Maffeo followed her and threatened to kill her. He then pushed her against a door, placed his hands on her throat, and choked her until she lost consciousness. When she regained consciousness, Maffeo admitted in front of one of the children that he had choked her.

(Mike Frisch)