Opinion
S234635
07-29-2016
CHOE ON DISCIPLINE
Recommended discipline imposed: disbarred
The court orders that GENE WOOK CHOE, State Bar Number 187704, is disbarred from the practice of law in California and that his name is stricken from the roll of attorneys.
GENE WOOK CHOE must make restitution to the following individuals (or to the Client Security Fund to the extent of any payment from the Fund to any of them, in accordance with Business and Professions Code section 6140.5):
(1) Noemi Ramirez in the amount of $10,639 plus 10 percent interest per year from March 16, 2011;
(2) Miguel A. Rodriguez-Parra in the amount of $3,000 plus 10 percent interest per year from March 26, 2012;
(3) Lynn Hilden and Susan Hilden in the amount of $3,281.50 plus 10 percent interest per year from January 19, 2012;
(4) Donald Smith in the amount of $5,880 plus 10 percent interest per year from October 6, 2011;
(5) Yohann Chang and Jung OK Chang in the amount of $14,000 plus 10 percent interest per year from October 11, 2010;
(6) Maria Mariscal in the amount of $12,000 plus 10 percent interest per year from February 7, 2012;
(7) Victoria Smiser in the amount of $24,000 plus 10 percent interest per year from September 22, 2011;
(8) Icylyn Williams in the amount of $7,000 plus 10 percent interest per year from May 1, 2012;
(9) Tina Youngson and Sang Park in the amount of $17,500 plus 10 percent interest per year from August 1, 2010;
(10) Jessie Lee and Wilma Pratt in the amount of $10,500 plus 10 percent interest per year from November 1, 2011;
(11) Ki Tae and Kyung Sook Kim in the amount of $7,750 plus 10 percent interest per year from July 15, 2011;
(12) Hans Weigel in the amount of $15,000 plus 10 percent interest per year from November 17, 2011;
(13) Janet Khachi and Biejan Mijaeli in the amount of $9,000 plus 10 percent interest per year from May 1, 2012;
(14) Frank J. Ayre, Jr., and Aida A. Ayre in the amount of $5,575 plus 10 percent interest per year from November 19, 2011;
(15) Javier Gonzalez in the amount of $12,200 plus 10 percent interest per year from February 1, 2012;
(16) Michael Lansdale in the amount of $5,000 plus 10 percent interest per year from June 29, 2012;
(17) Graciela Garcia in the amount of $1,684.50 plus 10 percent interest per year from March 21, 2012;
(18) Patricia Herrera in the amount of $6,000 plus 10 percent interest per year from February 1, 2012;
(19) Edna Parker in the amount of $9,500 plus 10 percent interest per year from November 2, 2011;
(20) Kevin Lynn and Janet Lynn in the amount of $11,075 plus 10 percent interest per year from October 1, 2011;
(21) Diane Robinson in the amount of $6,800 plus 10 percent interest per year from August 1, 2011;
(22) Luis Olvera and Hyesoon Kim Olvera in the amount of $17,000 plus 10 percent interest per year from April 1, 2011;
(23) Kum Soo Joo in the amount of $16,000 plus 10 percent interest per year from September 1, 2011; and
(24) Vasilica Vasilescu in the amount of $2,849 plus 10 percent interest per year from November 14, 2011.
GENE WOOK CHOE must also comply with California Rules of Court, rule 9.20, and perform the acts specified in subdivisions (a) and (c) of that rule within 30 and 40 calendar days, respectively, after the effective date of this order.
Costs are awarded to the State Bar in accordance with Business and Professions Code section 6086.10 and are enforceable both as provided in Business and Professions Code section 6140.7 and as a money judgment.