Opinion
No. 95-BG-1387.
Submitted November 7, 1996.
Decided November 21, 1996.
Before FERREN and FARRELL, Associate Judges, and GALLAGHER, Senior Judge.
This matter is before the court on the recommendation of the Board on Professional Responsibility to disbar respondent following his conviction for a crime involving moral turpitude. Respondent was convicted in the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego, of possession for sale of a controlled substance (cocaine), in violation of California Health and Safety Code § 11351. We have held that the crime of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute involves moral turpitude per se. See In re Mendes, 598 A.2d 168, 169 (D.C. 1991); In re Campbell, 572 A.2d 1059, 1061 (D.C. 1990). The crimes of conviction in those decisions are indistinguishable from the crime for which respondent was convicted. Accordingly, respondent must be disbarred. D.C. Code § 11-2503(a) (1995); In re Colson, 412 A.2d 1160 (D.C. 1979) (en banc).
We therefore order respondent disbarred from the practice of law in the District of Columbia effective immediately. See D.C. Bar R. XI, § 14(f) (1996).
So ordered.