Opinion
December 7, 1978
Appeal from the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in the Second Judicial Department.
James D. Porter, Jr. (Michael Alan Schwartz of counsel), attorney for petitioner.
Raphael P. Koenig of counsel (Morton S. Robson and Howard D. Ressler with him on the brief; Robson Toboroff, attorneys), for respondent.
Respondent, admitted to practice by the Second Department on April 6, 1955, was convicted upon his plea of guilty to unlawfully, willfully and knowingly engaging in activities in violation of sections 77e and 77x of title 15 of the United States Code, Federal felonies.
Petitioner moved this court for an order pursuant to subdivision 4 of section 90 Jud. of the Judiciary Law, directing that respondent's name be struck from the roll of attorneys of the State of New York. By order entered June 8, 1978, petitioner's motion was granted to the extent of appointing a Referee to conduct disciplinary proceedings.
It was this court's view that Matter of Chu ( 42 N.Y.2d 490) could reasonably be interpreted to allow discretion in some cases for evaluation of the particular conduct involved in the offense.
Matter of Thies ( 45 N.Y.2d 865) is quite clearly to the contrary. Accordingly, our order of June 8, 1978 is recalled and vacated, sua sponte, and petitioner's motion is granted to the extent of directing that respondent's name shall be stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors at law in the State of New York pursuant to subdivision 4 of section 90 Jud. of the Judiciary Law of the State of New York.
In view of this disposition, we reconsider respondent's motion for a stay of the effect of any order of this court subjecting respondent to automatic disbarment pending any appeal to the Court of Appeals and adhere to our order of August 3, 1978 denying such relief.
FEIN, J.P., LANE, MARKEWICH, SANDLER and SULLIVAN, JJ., concur.
Order of this court entered on June 8, 1978 recalled and vacated sua sponte and respondent's name stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors at law in the State of New York. In view of this disposition, we reconsider respondent's motion for a stay of the effect of any order of this court subjecting respondent to automatic disbarment pending any appeal to the Court of Appeals and adhere to our order of August 3, 1978 (M-1295) denying such relief.