| Case Digest |
Respondent pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery. By Court order dated August 21, 2001, Respondent was placed on temporary suspension.
Respondent represented a defendant in a criminal assault matter. Prior to trial, Respondent offered the Complainant $2,000 to fail to testify at the Preliminary Hearing. As a result of an electronic recorder on Respondent’s telephone, evidence showed that Respondent was present when the Complainant received a $1,000 initial payment. Disbarment was the recommended discipline from the Hearing Committee and the Disciplinary Board.
Prior to a Supreme Court Order, Respondent filed a PCRA to withdraw his guilty plea. On February 4, 2003, Respondent’s PCRA Petition was granted and he was allowed to withdraw his guilty plea. Respondent is to be retried on the underlying case.
As a result of the PCRA being granted Respondent filed a Motion to Dismiss based on the fact that the Petition for Discipline was based entirely on the criminal conviction and an ORDER for discipline would improper at the present time. The Motion to Dismiss was granted. Respondent’s temporary suspension was vacated and Respondent was reinstated to practice. |
