An individual receiving a pension benefit from a New York State public retirement system reemployed by New York State or political subdivision of the State must report such her reemployment and his or her earning derived from such reemployment to the retirement system

The individual [Respondent] in this action had served with the City Fire Department in various capacities for some twenty years. In May 2000 Respondent retired from the Department and after obtained a license to practice law in New York State, was reemployed by City Fire Department.

New York's Retirement and Social Security Law provides that retirees within the New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System [NYSLPFR]who return to employment with the State of New York or a political subdivision of the State can earn up to $30,000 per year before their retirement benefits are suspended, unless a waiver is obtained. Respondent neither reported his return to public service nor the earnings he received in excess of $30,000 to NYSLPFR. Further, Respondent did not obtain a waiver of the earnings limit. This resulted in Respondent receiving approximately $95,106 in pension benefits to which he was not entitled via wire transfer from Florida to his bank account in New York.

Respondent admitted that he "returned to public service after approximately ten years of being in retirement" but when he took the job, he did not obtain the required waiver. He further stated "[w]ell, the required waiver that would allow me to continue to receive my entire pension, and I did understand that I needed that waiver. And I just, I didn't do it." He then stated that in 2014 he "contacted the retirement system, notified them that I was receiving the benefits and to make those arrangements necessary to suspend my retirement and to start paying back the benefits I had received."

Respondent was convicted of wire fraud in violation of 18 USC §1343, which is essentially similar to the New York felony of grand larceny in the second degree, in violation of Penal Law §155.40, a Class C felony. By virtue of his felony conviction, Respondent was automatically disbarred and ceased to be an attorney pursuant to Judiciary Law §90(4)(a) and, among other penalties imposed, was directed to pay restitution to the NYSLPFR in the amount of $95,106.15, a fine of $50,000, and an assessment fee of $100.

With respect to Respondent's admission to the New York Bar, New York State's Judiciary Law, in pertinent part, provides for automatic disbarment in the event an attorney is convicted of a felony. Under this section, an offense committed in any other State, district or territory of the United States where it is classified as a felony is determined to be a felony when it would constitute a felony in this state. (see Judiciary Law, §90, subdivision 4, paragraph  e.) For purposes of this determination, the Court of Appeals has ruled that a felony in the other jurisdiction need not be a mirror image of the New York felony, precisely corresponding in every detail, but it must have essential similarity.

In response to the Grievance Committee for the Ninth Judicial District's motion to strike Respondent's name from the roll of attorneys and counselor-at-law, the Appellate Division concluded that Respondent's conviction of wire fraud in violation of 18 USC §1343 is essentially similar to the New York felony of grand larceny in the second degree, in violation of Penal Law §155.40, a Class C felony and granted the Committee's motion. The court noted that "[b]y virtue of his felony conviction, [Respondent] was automatically disbarred and ceased to be an attorney pursuant to Judiciary Law §90(4)(a)."

The decision is posted on the Internet at:

http://www.nycourts.gov/reporter/3dseries/2019/2019_04704.htm