| Case Digest |
Respondent was admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
On September 10, 2001, Respondent pled guilty in a New Jersey court to one count of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-13. As a result of the conviction, the New Jersey Supreme Court suspended the Respondent from the practice of law in the State of New Jersey for a term of six months, retroactive to December 5, 2001. In re Peterman, 174 N.J. 341, 805 A.2d 1206 (2002).
Office of Disciplinary Counsel initiated a reciprocal discipline proceeding under Pa.R.D.E. 216, and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued a rule to SHOW cause under subsections (a) and (c)(4) of that Rule. By ORDER dated June 30, 2003, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania disbarred Respondent retroactive to August 1, 2002, the date that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court had put Respondent on temporary suspension pursuant to Pa.R.D.E. 214 as a result of his criminal conviction. Two Justices dissented “from the imposition of disbarment and would only impose reciprocal discipline as announced by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.”
Respondent had previously been disbarred in Pennsylvania in September, 1985 and was reinstated in August, 1991. |
