Hours

A six-month suspension was imposed for a conviction by the New York Appellate Division for the Fourth Judicial Department

In November 2023, the Grievance Committee filed with this Court proof that, on August 11, 2023, respondent was convicted, upon his plea of guilty in Rochester City Court, of offering a false instrument for filing in the second degree (Penal Law § 175.30), a class A misdemeanor. The plea was entered in satisfaction of allegations that, in late 2018, respondent submitted payment claim vouchers to certain assigned counsel programs with the intent to defraud the assigned counsel programs. During the plea colloquy, respondent admitted that he submitted to the Monroe County Conflict Defender’s Office a document he knew contained false information concerning the number of hours he worked on October 9, 2018. In conjunction with the plea, respondent agreed to make restitution in favor of three assigned counsel programs, and City Court sentenced him to a one-year conditional discharge.

Sanction

we conclude that respondent should be suspended from the practice of law for a period of six months, effective January 17, 2024, and that he may file with this Court an application for reinstatement to the practice of law in accordance with the terms of the order entered herewith.

(Mike Frisch)