Opinion
December 4, 1995
Robert H. Straus, Brooklyn (David C.Y. Cheung of counsel), for Grievance Committee for the Second and Eleventh Judicial Districts.
DePetris Bachrach, New York City (Marion Bachrach of counsel), for resignor.
James R. Wiener has submitted an affidavit, dated September 19, 1995, wherein he tenders his resignation as an attorney and counselor-at-law ( 22 NYCRR 691.9). Mr. Wiener was admitted to the practice of law by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Second Judicial Department, on June 15, 1966, under the name James Ralph Wiener.
On August 3, 1995, Mr. Wiener pleaded guilty in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York to a felony information charging him with one count of filing false tax returns, one count of mail fraud, and one count of conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service. Mr. Wiener acknowledges that, based on his guilty plea, disciplinary charges would be brought against him and he would have no defense on the merits against such charges.
Mr. Wiener's proffered resignation indicates that it is submitted subject to any application which could be made by the Grievance Committee for an order directing that he make restitution and that he reimburse the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection of the State of New York pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90 (6-a). Mr. Wiener further acknowledges the continuing jurisdiction of this Court to make such an order. He is aware that any order issued pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90 (6-a) could be entered as a civil judgment against him and he specifically waives the opportunity afforded him by Judiciary Law § 90 (6-a) (f) to be heard in opposition thereto.
Mr. Wiener indicates that he is submitting his resignation freely and voluntarily and that he is not being subjected to coercion or duress by anyone. He is fully aware of the implications of submitting his resignation.
Counsel for the Grievance Committee urges acceptance of the proffered resignation. Under the circumstances, the resignation of James R. Wiener as a member of the Bar is accepted and directed to be filed. Accordingly, James R. Wiener is disbarred and his name is stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law, effective immediately.
SULLIVAN, J.P., BALLETTA, ROSENBLATT, MILLER and HART, JJ., concur.
Ordered that the resignation of James R. Wiener is accepted and directed to be filed; and it is further,
Ordered that pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90, effective immediately, James R. Wiener is disbarred and his name is stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law; and it is further,
Ordered that James R. Wiener shall promptly comply with this Court's rules governing the conduct of disbarred, suspended and resigned attorneys ( 22 NYCRR 691.10); and it is further,
Ordered that pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90, effective immediately, James R. Wiener is commanded to desist and refrain (1) from practicing law in any form, either as principal or as agent, clerk or employee of another, (2) from appearing as an attorney or counselor-at-law before any court, Judge, Justice, board, commission or other public authority, (3) from giving to another an opinion as to the law or its application or any advice in relation thereto, and (4) from holding himself out in any way as an attorney and counselor-at-law.