Opinion
D-123 September Term 2018 082879
09-19-2019
In the MATTER OF Joseph A. FERRIERO, an Attorney at Law (Attorney No. 014191982)
ORDER
The Disciplinary Review Board having filed with the Court its decision in DRB 18-343, recommending that as a matter of final discipline pursuant to Rule 1:20-13(c), Joseph A. Ferriero of Hackensack, who was admitted to the bar of this State in 1982, and who has been temporarily suspended from the practice of law since July 21, 2015, be disbarred based on respondent’s conviction in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey of racketeering under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), through conduct prohibited by N.J.S.A. 2C:27-2, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1962(c) ; use of mail in aid of a racketeering enterprise, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1952(a)(1) and 1952(a)(3)(A) ; and wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343 ;
And the Disciplinary Review Board having found that respondent’s conduct violated RPC 8.4(b) (commission of a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer) and RPC 8.4(c) (conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation);
And Joseph A. Ferriero having been ordered to show cause why he should not be disbarred or otherwise disciplined;
And good cause appearing;
It is ORDERED that Joseph A. Ferriero be disbarred, effective immediately, and that his name be stricken from the roll of attorneys;
ORDERED that Joseph A. Ferriero be and hereby is permanently restrained and enjoined from practicing law; and it is further
ORDERED that Joseph A. Ferriero comply with Rule 1:20-20 dealing with disbarred attorneys; and it is further
ORDERED that all funds, if any, currently existing or hereinafter deposited in any New Jersey financial institution maintained by Joseph A. Ferriero pursuant to Rule 1:21-6 be restrained from disbursement except on application to this Court, for good cause shown, and shall be transferred by the financial institution to the Clerk of the Superior Court, who is directed to deposit the funds in the Superior Court Trust Fund pending the further Order of this Court; and it is further ORDERED that the entire record of this matter be made a permanent part of respondent's file as an attorney at law of this State; and it is further
ORDERED that respondent reimburse the Disciplinary Oversight Committee for appropriate administrative costs and actual expenses incurred in the prosecution of this matter, as provided in Rule 1:20-17.