Opinion
M–5386
01-15-2019
In the MATTER OF Richard D. BORZOUYE, (Admitted as Richard Darius Borzouye), a Suspended Attorney: Attorney Grievance Committee for the First Judicial Department, Petitioner, v. Richard D. Borzouye, Respondent.
Jorge Dopico, Chief Attorney, Attorney Grievance Committee, New York (Jun H. Lee, of counsel), for petitioner. Respondent pro se.
Jorge Dopico, Chief Attorney, Attorney Grievance Committee, New York (Jun H. Lee, of counsel), for petitioner.
Respondent pro se.
David Friedman, Justice Presiding, John W. Sweeny, Jr., Dianne T. Renwick, Barbara R. Kapnick, Jeffery K. Oing, Justices.
Per Curiam
Respondent Richard D. Borzouye was admitted to the practice of law in the State of New York by the Second Judicial Department on February 25, 2004 under the name Richard Darius Borzouye. At all times relevant to this proceeding, respondent maintained a law office within the First Judicial Department.
By motion dated October 4, 2017, the Attorney Grievance Committee (the Committee) sought respondent's immediate suspension from the practice of law, pursuant to the Rules for Attorney Discipline Matters ( 22 NYCRR) § 1240.9(a)(1) and (3), based upon his default in appearing for an examination under oath pursuant to a subpoena from this Court and his failure to comply with lawful demands of the Committee, which was investigating three complaints made against him.
By order entered January 2, 2018 ( 161 A.D.3d 1, 73 N.Y.S.3d 61 [1st Dept. 2018] ), this Court granted the Committee's motion and suspended him pursuant to 22 NYCRR 1240.9(a)(1) and (3), and until further order of the Court.
On January 10, 2018, the Committee served respondent with notice of entry of this Court's order of suspension. The notice of entry was served upon respondent by first class mail and certified mail, return receipt requested, at his last registered business address. The certified mail receipt was signed and returned to the Committee on January 24, 2018.
Now, by notice of motion dated October 29, 2018, the Committee seeks an order disbarring respondent, pursuant to 22 NYCRR 1240.9(b), on the ground that he was immediately suspended pursuant to 22 NYCRR 1240.9(a)(1) and (3) and has neither responded to nor appeared for further investigatory or disciplinary proceedings within six months from the date of the order of suspension. Respondent was served with this motion to disbar by first class mail and certified mail, return receipt requested, at his last registered business address and what appears to be his residence, but no response has been filed with the Court.
The motion should be granted, inasmuch as more than six months have elapsed since the date of respondent's suspension, and he has neither responded to nor appeared for further investigatory or disciplinary proceedings (see Matter of Freidman, 162 A.D.3d 14, 72 N.Y.S.3d 825 [1st Dept. 2018] ; Matter of Spencer, 161 A.D.3d 44, 74 N.Y.S.3d 244 [1st Dept. 2018] ; Matter of Hidalgo, 158 A.D.3d 1, 66 N.Y.S.3d 139 [1st Dept. 2017] ).
Accordingly, the Committee's motion for an order disbarring respondent pursuant to 22 NYCRR 1240.9(b) should be granted and his name stricken from the roll of attorneys in the State of New York, effective immediately.
All Concur.
The petition is granted, respondent is disbarred and his name is stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law in the State of New York, effective the date hereof.