Opinion
12-23-2015
In the Matter of Peter J. GALASSO, admitted as Peter John Galasso, a suspended attorney.
Motion by Peter J. Galasso for reinstatement to the Bar as an attorney and counselor-at-law. The respondent was admitted to the Bar at a term of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in the Second Judicial Department on March 10, 1982, under the name Peter John Galasso.By decision and order on motion of this Court dated April 30, 2010, the Grievance Committee for the Ninth Judicial District was authorized to institute and prosecute a disciplinary proceeding against Mr. Galasso, based upon the acts of professional misconduct set forth in a petition dated January 21, 2010. By opinion and order of this Court dated February 21, 2012, Mr. Galasso was suspended from the practice of law for a period of two years (see Matter of Galasso, 94 A.D.3d 30, 940 N.Y.S.2d 88, mod. 19 N.Y.3d 688, 954 N.Y.S.2d 784, 978 N.E.2d 1254 ). By opinion of the Court of Appeals dated October 23, 2012, the opinion and order of this Court dated February 21, 2012, was modified by dismissing charge five of the petition, and the matter was remitted to this Court to "reconsider whether the suspension previously imposed remains an appropriate sanction" (Matter of Galasso, 19 N.Y.3d 688, 954 N.Y.S.2d 784, 978 N.E.2d 1254 ). By decision and order on remittitur dated February 27, 2013, this Court adhered to its prior sanction of the two-year suspension, and directed Mr. Galasso's suspension to be effective March 5, 2013, with leave to apply for reinstatement no earlier than September 5, 2014 (see Matter of Galasso, 105 A.D.3d 103, 961 N.Y.S.2d 475 ). By decision and order on motion of this Court dated January 5, 2015, Mr. Galasso's motion for reinstatement was held in abeyance, and the matter was referred to the Committee on Character and Fitness to investigate and report on his current character and general fitness to practice law, including, but not limited to, the efforts he made towards restitution, his remorse, and the nature of his valuation business, which he operated from his former law office.
Upon the papers filed in support of the motion and the papers filed in relation thereto, and upon the report of the Committee on Character and Fitness and the exhibits annexed thereto, it is
ORDERED that the motion is granted on condition that on or before January 22, 2016, Peter John Galasso file with the Clerk of this Court proof of payment of attorney registration fee arrears, as well as payment for the current registration period; and it is further,
ORDERED that upon receipt of proof of payment, as directed above, the Clerk of the Court shall restore the name of Peter John Galasso to the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law, and Peter John Galasso shall be reinstated as an attorney and counselor-at-law.
ENG, P.J., MASTRO, RIVERA, DILLON and BALKIN, JJ., concur.