Opinion
2018–04103
11-20-2019
In the MATTER OF Valmiro L. DONADO, a suspended attorney. Grievance Committee for the Second, Eleventh, and Thirteenth Judicial Districts, Petitioner; v. Valmiro L. Donado, Respondent. (Attorney Registration No. 3030434)
Diana Maxfield Kearse, Brooklyn, N.Y. (Mark F. DeWan of counsel), for petitioner. Valmiro L. Donado, St. Albans, NY, respondent pro se.
Diana Maxfield Kearse, Brooklyn, N.Y. (Mark F. DeWan of counsel), for petitioner.
Valmiro L. Donado, St. Albans, NY, respondent pro se.
ALAN D. SCHEINKMAN, P.J., WILLIAM F. MASTRO, REINALDO E. RIVERA, MARK C. DILLON, LEONARD B. AUSTIN, JJ.
OPINION & ORDER
PER CURIAM. The respondent, Valmiro L. Donado, has submitted an affidavit sworn to on June 22, 2019, in support of his application to resign as an attorney and counselor-at-law (see 22 NYCRR 1240.10 ). The respondent acknowledges in his affidavit that he is currently the subject of a disciplinary proceeding based upon a verified petition dated April 10, 2018, and a supplemental verified petition dated September 19, 2018, which allege that he: (1) misappropriated funds entrusted to him as a fiduciary, incident to his practice of law (two charges), and (2) failed to cooperate with the Grievance Committee's investigation of complaints of professional misconduct against him (three charges). The respondent also acknowledges that he is the subject of three complaints of professional misconduct against him that are under investigation by the Grievance Committee, in which it is alleged, among other things, that he misappropriated funds entrusted to him as a fiduciary, incident to a real estate transaction where he represented a client named Esteban Cerquin. The respondent avers that he cannot successfully defend himself against the charges set forth in the verified petition and the supplemental verified petition, as well as the allegations of his professional conduct described above.
The respondent also avers that his resignation is freely and voluntarily tendered, that he is not being subjected to coercion or duress by anyone, and that he is fully aware of the implications of submitting his resignation, including that the Court's acceptance and approval shall result in the entry of an order of disbarment striking his name from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law.
As to the issue of restitution, the respondent consents to the entry of an order by the Court, pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(6–a), directing that he make monetary restitution to Esteban Cerquin in the amount of $59,550, and that he reimburse the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection of the State of New York (hereinafter the Lawyers' Fund) for any sum that the Lawyers' Fund awards Esteban Cerquin or to any other individuals who filed or may file claims against him. He further acknowledges that the resignation is submitted subject to any future application that may be made by the Grievance Committee for an order, pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(6–a), directing that he make restitution or reimburse the Lawyers' Fund, and that he consents to the Court's continuing jurisdiction to make such an order.
Notwithstanding his current status as a suspended attorney, the respondent also acknowledges and agrees that pending the issuance of this order accepting his resignation, he will not undertake to represent any new clients or accept any retainers for future legal services to be rendered and that there will be no transactional activity in any fiduciary account to which he has access, other than for payment of funds held therein on behalf of clients or others entitled to receive them.
Lastly, the respondent acknowledges that in the event the Court accepts his resignation, the order resulting therefrom and the records and documents filed in relation to the aforementioned charges and allegations, including his affidavit, shall be deemed public records pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(10).
The Grievance Committee recommends that the Court grant the respondent's application to resign.
Inasmuch as the respondent's application to resign complies with the requirements of 22 NYCRR 1240.10, the application is granted and, effective immediately, the respondent is disbarred and his name is stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law. In view of the foregoing, on the Court's own motion, the disciplinary proceeding commenced against the respondent is discontinued as academic.
SCHEINKMAN, P.J., MASTRO, RIVERA, DILLON and AUSTIN, JJ., concur.
ORDERED that the application of the respondent, Valmiro L. Donado, a suspended attorney, to resign as an attorney and counselor-at-law is granted; and it is further,
ORDERED that pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90, effective immediately, the respondent, Valmiro L. Donado, is disbarred, and his name is stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law; and it is further,
ORDERED that the respondent, Valmiro L. Donado, shall continue to 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, effective immediately, the respondent, Valmiro L. Donado, shall 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 pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(6–a)(a), the respondent, Valmiro L. Donado, shall reimburse the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection of the State of New York for any award made to Esteban Cerquin; and it is further,
ORDERED that in the event that no award has been made by the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection of the State of New York to Esteban Cerquin, the respondent, Valmiro L. Donado, shall make monetary restitution to Esteban Cerquin in the sum of $59,550, pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(6–a) ; and it is further,
ORDERED that in the event that a partial award has been made by the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection of the State of New York to Esteban Cerquin, the respondent, Valmiro L. Donado, shall make partial monetary restitution to Esteban Cerquin to the extent that he has not been fully reimbursed, pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(6–a) ; and it is further,
ORDERED that pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(6–a)(d), this order may be entered as a civil judgment, and such judgment shall be enforceable as a money judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction by the party to whom payments are due hereunder in the amount set forth herein, minus any amount reimbursed by the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection, or by the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection when it has been subrogated to the rights of such party; and it is further,
ORDERED that if the respondent, Valmiro L. Donado, has been issued a secure pass by the Office of Court Administration, it shall be returned forthwith to the issuing agency, and he shall certify to the same in his affidavit of compliance pursuant to 22 NYCRR 1240.15(f) ; and it is further,
ORDERED that, on the Court's own motion, the disciplinary proceeding initiated by the Grievance Committee against the respondent, Valmiro L. Donado, based upon the verified petition dated April 10, 2018, and the verified supplemental petition dated September 19, 2018, is discontinued as academic.