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174 A.D.2d 78

In re DiJoseph

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York · decided 1992-01-07

Decided 1992-01-07

¶1OPINION OF THE COURT

Per Curiam.

¶2Respondent Steven DiJoseph was admitted to practice in the Second Department on February 6, 1974. At all times pertinent to this proceeding, respondent maintained an office for the practice of law within the First Department.

¶3*79By affidavit dated July 3, 1991, respondent is seeking an order pursuant to 22 NYCRR 603.11 permitting him to resign as a member of the Bar of the State of New York.

¶4Respondent acknowledges that an investigation is pending before the Departmental Disciplinary Committee into allegations that he is guilty of professional misconduct. Specifically, respondent states that he was the managing attorney at the law firm of Morris J. Eisen, P. C. from February 1983 until October 1984.

¶5In November 1990, while under no pending indictment, respondent voluntarily testified in Federal court under a grant of immunity at the racketeering and conspiracy trial of Morris Eisen, Esq., and other members of his firm. During the course of that trial respondent admitted to misconduct involving fabrication of evidence, forgery and perjury in a significant number of judicial proceedings.

¶6Respondent acknowledges that if charges were predicated upon the foregoing misconduct under investigation, he could not successfully defend himself on the merits against such charges.

¶7Respondent also states that he is voluntarily cooperating with the Departmental Disciplinary Committee in connection with its ongoing investigation into the conduct of other attorneys either previously associated with Morris Eisen or having professional relationships with Mr. Eisen, and others.

¶8The Departmental Disciplinary Committee supports respondent’s request for permission to resign, and acknowledges that respondent’s cooperation has contributed substantially to its investigation.

¶9The affidavit of resignation submitted by respondent fully complies with the requirements of section 603.11 of this court’s rules governing the conduct of attorneys. Respondent acknowledges that (1) he is the subject of a pending investigation or disciplinary proceeding into allegations that he has been guilty of misconduct; (2) his resignation is freely and voluntarily tendered; (3) he has not been subjected to coercion or duress; (4) he is fully aware of the implications of submitting his resignation; and (5) that if charges were predicated upon the misconduct under investigation, he could not successfully defend himself on the merits against such charges.

¶10Accordingly, respondent’s resignation as a member of the Bar should be accepted and directed to be filed, and his name stricken from the roll of attorneys.

¶11*80Murphy, P. J., Sullivan, Rosenberger, Kassal and Smith, JJ., concur.

¶12Respondent’s resignation is accepted and his name stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law in the State of New York, effective January 7, 1992.

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