Opinion
S275850
10-06-2022
MALANGA ON DISCIPLINE
Recommended discipline imposed: disbarred
The court orders that GERALD BENNETT MALANGA (Respondent), State Bar Number 167065, is disbarred from the practice of law and that Respondent's name is stricken from the roll of attorneys.
Respondent must make restitution to the following payees or such other recipient as may be designated by the Office of Probation or the State Bar Court (or reimburse the Client Security Fund, to the extent of any payment from the Fund to such payees, in accordance with Business and Professions Code section 6140.5). Reimbursement to the Fund is enforceable as a money judgment and may be collected by the State Bar through any means permitted by law:
(1) Amrik Parmar in the amount of $2,003.33 plus 10 percent interest per year from December 13, 2018;
(2) Michael Muhlthaler in the amount of $4,000 plus 10 percent interest per year from August 29, 2018;
(3) Patricia Wakeley in the amount of $4,000 plus 10 percent interest per year from August 29, 2018;
(4) Enrique Martinez and Alicia Martinez in the amount of $3,500 plus 10 percent interest per year from May 11, 2017;
(5) Matthew Roknipour in the amount of $3,250 plus 10 percent interest per year from November 21, 2019; and
(6) Matthew Muchka in the amount of $3,250 plus 10 percent interest per year from November 21, 2019;
Respondent must also comply with California Rules of Court, rule 9.20, and perform the acts specified in subdivisions (a) and (c) of that rule within 30 and 40 calendar days, respectively, after the effective date of this order.
Respondent must pay monetary sanctions to the State Bar of California Client Security Fund in the amount of $5,000 in accordance with Business and Professions Code section 6086.13 and rule 5.137 of the Rules of Procedure of the State Bar. Monetary sanctions are enforceable as a money judgment and may be collected by the State Bar through any means permitted by law.
Costs are awarded to the State Bar in accordance with Business and Professions Code section 6086.10 and are enforceable both as provided in Business and Professions Code section 6140.7 and as a money judgment, and may be collected by the State Bar through any means permitted by law.