Opinion
2019–03555
09-25-2019
In the MATTER OF Edward P. MANGANO, an attorney and counselor-at-law. Grievance Committee for the Tenth Judicial District, Petitioner; v. Edward P. Mangano, Respondent. (Attorney Registration No. 2155976)
Catherine A. Sheridan, Hauppauge, N.Y. (Michele Filosa of counsel), for petitioner.
Catherine A. Sheridan, Hauppauge, N.Y. (Michele Filosa of counsel), for petitioner.
ALAN D. SCHEINKMAN, P.J., WILLIAM F. MASTRO, REINALDO E. RIVERA, MARK C. DILLON, FRANCESCA E. CONNOLLY, JJ.
OPINION & ORDER
PER CURIAM. On March 8, 2019, after a jury trial before the Honorable Joan M. Azrack in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, the respondent was found guilty of: (1) conspiracy to commit federal program bribery, in violation of 18 USC § 371 ; (2) federal program bribery, in violation of 18 USC § 666(a)(1)(B) ; (3) conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, in violation of 18 USC § 1349 ; (4) honest services wire fraud, in violation of 18 USC §§ 1343 and 1346 ; and (5) conspiracy to obstruct justice, in violation of 18 USC § 1512(k).
The Grievance Committee for the Tenth Judicial District now moves to strike the respondent's name from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law, pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(4), based upon his felony conviction. Although the respondent was duly served, he has neither opposed the motion nor interposed any response thereto.
Pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(4)(a) and (e), a lawyer is automatically disbarred upon his or her conviction of a felony committed under federal law which is "essentially similar" to a felony under New York law ( Matter of Margiotta , 60 N.Y.2d 147, 149, 468 N.Y.S.2d 857, 456 N.E.2d 798 ). Conviction of a felony occurs, inter alia, upon the entry of a verdict of guilty (see CPL 1.20[13] ). It is well settled that wire fraud, in violation of 18 USC § 1343, is essentially similar to the New York felony of scheme to defraud in the first degree, in violation of Penal Law § 190.65 (see e.g. Matter of Savino , 121 A.D.3d 264, 990 N.Y.S.2d 821 ; Matter of Thies , 42 A.D.3d 37, 836 N.Y.S.2d 210 ).
Pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(4)(a) and (e), the respondent was automatically disbarred, and ceased to be an attorney, upon his felony convictions (see Matter of Margiotta , 60 N.Y.2d at 150, 468 N.Y.S.2d 857, 456 N.E.2d 798 ; Matter of Burstein , 111 A.D.3d 112, 971 N.Y.S.2d 473 ).
Accordingly, the Grievance Committee's motion to strike the respondent's name from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law, pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(4), is granted to reflect the respondent's disbarment as of March 8, 2019.
SCHEINKMAN, P.J., MASTRO, RIVERA, DILLON, and CONNOLLY, JJ., concur.
ORDERED that the Grievance Committee's motion to strike the name of the respondent, Edward P. Mangano, from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law, pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(4), is granted; and it is further, ORDERED that pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(4)(a), the respondent, Edward P. Mangano, is disbarred, effective March 8, 2019, and his name is stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law, pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(4)(b) ; and it is further,
ORDERED that the respondent, Edward P. Mangano, shall comply with the rules governing the conduct of disbarred or suspended attorneys (see 22 NYCRR 1240.15 ); and it is further,
ORDERED that pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90, the respondent, Edward P. Mangano, is commanded to desist and refrain from (1) practicing law in any form, either as principal or as agent, clerk, or employee of another, (2) appearing as an attorney or counselor-at-law before any court, Judge, Justice, board, commission, or other public authority, (3) giving to another an opinion as to the law or its application or any advice in relation thereto, and (4) holding himself out in any way as an attorney and counselor-at-law; and it is further,
ORDERED that if the respondent, Edward P. Mangano, has been issued a secure pass by the Office of Court Administration, it shall be returned forthwith to the issuing agency, and the respondent shall certify to the same in his affidavit of compliance pursuant to 22 NYCRR 1240.15(f).