Opinion
M–3260
10-02-2018
In the MATTER OF Don A. CARLOS, Jr., (admitted as Don Anthony Carlos, Jr.), an attorney and counselor-at-law: Attorney Grievance Committee for the First Judicial Department, Petitioner, v. Don A. Carlos, Jr., Respondent.
Jorge Dopico, Chief Attorney, Attorney Grievance Committee, New York, (Vitaly Lipkansky, of counsel), for petitioner. Meredith S. Heller, Esq., for respondent.
Jorge Dopico, Chief Attorney, Attorney Grievance Committee, New York, (Vitaly Lipkansky, of counsel), for petitioner.
Meredith S. Heller, Esq., for respondent.
John W. Sweeny, Jr., Justice Presiding, Rosalyn H. Richter, Sallie Manzanet–Daniels, Angela M. Mazzarelli, Troy K. Webber, Justices.
PER CURIAM
Respondent Don A. Carlos, Jr. was admitted to the practice of law in the State of New York by the Second Judicial Department on March 24, 1993, under the name Don Anthony Carlos Jr. At all times relevant to this proceeding, respondent maintained an office for the practice of law within the First Judicial Department.
The Attorney Grievance Committee (Committee) commenced this disciplinary proceeding by a petition of charges ( Judiciary Law § 90[2], Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters [ 22 NYCRR] § 1240.8 ), alleging that respondent was guilty of certain misconduct in violation of the former Disciplinary Rules and the current New York Rules of Professional Conduct because he misappropriated client funds, commingled personal funds with client and/or third-party funds, failed to maintain required bookkeeping records, provided false deposition testimony and written statements to the Committee, failed to pay personal income taxes for multiple tax years, and misused his IOLA account to shield his personal funds from tax levies.
The parties agree on the stipulated facts, including the admission to the acts of professional misconduct and the violation of former Code of Professional Responsibility DR 1–102(a)(7) ( 22 NYCRR 1200.3[a][7] ) and 9–102(d) (22 NYCRR 1200.46[d] ) and rules 1.15(a), 1.15(d), 8.4(c), 8.4(d), and 8.4(h) of the Rules of Professional Conduct (22 NYCRR 1200.00), the relevant factors in aggravation and mitigation, and on the discipline. The parties now jointly move, pursuant to 22 NYCRR 1240.8(a)(5), for respondent's suspension from the practice of law in the State of New York for a period of 2½ years.
In support of the joint motion, the parties rely on Matter of Cohen, 159 A.D.3d 113, 71 N.Y.S.3d 46 (1st Dept. 2018), Matter of Brodsky, 153 A,D,3d 52, 58 N.Y.S.3d 380 (1st Dept. 2017), and Matter of Gonzalez, 132 A.D.3d 1, 15 N.Y.S.3d 315 (1st Dept. 2015) and agree that the circumstances in those cases are analogous here and should be followed. In light of the factors in mitigation, including respondent's admission of misconduct and acceptance of responsibility, his willingness to resolve his tax obligations and the fact no clients failed to receive their funds due to respondent's misconduct, we agree with the parties that a suspension from the practice of law is appropriate.
Accordingly, the joint motion for discipline by consent should be granted, and respondent is suspended from the practice of law in the State of New York for a period of 2½ years and until further order of this Court.
Any application for reinstatement should include documentary proof that respondent has entered into agreements with the tax authorities for payment of any outstanding tax debts ( Matter of Schnall, 146 A.D.3d 81, 87, 42 N.Y.S.3d 109 [1st Dept. 2016] ).
Ordered that the joint motion for discipline by consent is granted to the extent of suspending respondent from the practice of law in the State of New York for a period of 2–1/2 years, effective November 1, 2018, and until further order of this Court.
All concur.