Florida Record

Monday, January 20, 2020

Karen Kidd News

Gainesville attorney suspended for allegedly questioning integrity of judges, other court officials

By Karen Kidd | Jan 15, 2020

TALLAHASSEE — Gainesville attorney Beverly R. McCallum was suspended following a Dec. 16 Florida Supreme Court order over allegations she questioned the integrity of judges and other court officials, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.

Former judicial candidate suspended over 'hate-filled, unprofessional and inappropriate' social media posts

By Karen Kidd | Jan 14, 2020

TALLAHASSEE — San Antonio attorney Donald Linus McBath Jr. has been suspended following a Nov. 27 Florida Supreme Court order over "hate-filled, unprofessional and inappropriate" comments on social media while running for a seat on the Sixth Judicial Circuit, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.

Former Tallahassee city commissioner permanently disbarred following federal fraud guilty plea last year

By Karen Kidd | Jan 14, 2020

TALLAHASSEE — Longtime Tallahassee attorney and former city commissioner Scott Charles Maddox has been voluntarily and permanently disbarred following a Nov. 27 Florida Supreme Court order and his guilty plea on federal fraud charges, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.

Longtime Maitland attorney suspended after taking over $156,000 in severance pay

By Karen Kidd | Jan 3, 2020

TALLAHASSEE — Longtime Maitland attorney Stephan Carter faces suspension following a Dec. 5 Florida Supreme Court order over allegations he and an interim court clerk tried to inappropriately obtain severance, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.

Yulee attorney receives second suspension after allegedly overcharging client

By Karen Kidd | Jan 3, 2020

TALLAHASSEE — Yulee attorney Laura Healan Coggin has been suspended for the second time in less than a year, following a Dec. 12 Florida Supreme Court order over allegations she overcharged a client in a criminal case, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.

Boston attorney suspended for allegedly mishandling client's criminal defense

By Karen Kidd | Jan 2, 2020

TALLAHASSEE — Longtime Boston attorney Desmond Patrick FitzGerald, who no longer practices law, has been reciprocally suspended following a Dec. 5 Florida Supreme Court order for allegedly mishandling a Massachusetts client's criminal defense, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.

Highland City attorney suspended after allegedly failing to comply with probation

By Karen Kidd | Jan 2, 2020

TALLAHASSEE — Highland City attorney Justin Scott Gaines has been suspended following a Nov. 26 Florida Supreme Court order after he allegedly failed to comply with his probation from a reprimand handed down about a year ago, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.

New York attorney faces suspension after allegedly making 'veiled threats' to judges

By Karen Kidd | Jan 2, 2020

TALLAHASSEE — Longtime New York attorney Gino Louis Giorgini III faces reciprocal suspension following a Dec. 12 Florida Supreme Court order after he allegedly "made veiled threats" to judges more than a decade ago, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.

Tampa attorney suspended after 'inappropriate business relationship' and late appeal

By Karen Kidd | Jan 2, 2020

TALLAHASSEE — Tampa attorney Charles Alexander Greene Jr. has been suspended following a Nov. 18 Florida Supreme Court order over an alleged inappropriate business relationship with his paralegal and a late appeal filed in a criminal case, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.

Boca Raton attorney suspended after allegedly failing to respond to state bar inquiry

By Karen Kidd | Jan 2, 2020

TALLAHASSEE — Boca Raton attorney Erica Helene Kobloth faces indefinite suspension following a Dec. 13 Florida Supreme Court order after she allegedly failed to respond to an official inquiry, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.

Palatka attorney suspended after allegedly failing to respond to state bar inquiry

By Karen Kidd | Jan 2, 2020

TALLAHASSEE — Palatka attorney Amanda C. Leary has been disbarred following a Dec. 12 Florida Supreme Court order after she allegedly failed to respond to an official inquiry, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.

Homestead attorney disbarred after allegedly failing to disburse more than $2M in bitcoin agreement

By Karen Kidd | Dec 5, 2019

Homestead attorney voluntarily disbarred following allegations he filed to disburse millions in escrow funds.

Fort Pierce attorney voluntarily disbarred after allegedly mishandling criminal cases

By Karen Kidd | Dec 5, 2019

Fort Pierce attorney voluntarily disbarred following allegations she mishandled criminal cases.

Boca Raton attorney disbarred for allegedly practicing law while suspended

By Karen Kidd | Dec 5, 2019

TALLAHASSEE — Longtime Boca Raton attorney Byron Gregory Petersen has been disbarred following a Nov. 14 Florida Supreme Court order over allegations he practiced law while suspended, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.

Former Lee County judge disbarred following arrest in Naples prostitution sting

By Karen Kidd | Dec 5, 2019

A former Lee County Circuit Court judge was disbarred following his arrest last year in a prostitution sting.

St. Johns attorney voluntarily disbarred following DUI arrest, failed discipline diversion attempt

By Karen Kidd | Dec 3, 2019

TALLAHASSEE (Florida Record) — St. Johns attorney Erin Rebecca Waskiewicz has been voluntarily disbarred following an Oct. 24 Florida Supreme Court order, her DUI arrest and failed attempt at a disciplinary diversion, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.

North Miami attorney voluntarily disbarred over alleged trust fund irregularities

By Karen Kidd | Dec 3, 2019

TALLAHASSEE (Florida Record) — North Miami attorney Ilya Torchinsky has been voluntarily disbarred following an Oct. 31 Florida Supreme Court order over alleged trust fund charges and other issues, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.

Melbourne attorney faces voluntary disbarment after drug, bribery convictions

By Karen Kidd | Dec 3, 2019

TALLAHASSEE (Florida Record) — Melbourne attorney John Michael Toppa III faces voluntary disbarment following a Nov. 21 Florida Supreme Court order and his felony drug arrests, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.

Chicago attorney faces reciprocal suspension in Florida more than 4 years after Illinois discipline

By Karen Kidd | Dec 3, 2019

TALLAHASSEE (Florida Record) — Chicago attorney Steven Gary Shaw faces reciprocal suspension following a Nov. 21 Florida Supreme Court order over allegations he overbilled a client, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.

Boynton Beach attorney indefinitely suspended for failing to respond to official state bar inquiry

By Karen Kidd | Dec 3, 2019

TALLAHASSEE (Florida Record) — Longtime Boynton Beach attorney Les Schneiderman faces indefinite suspension following a Nov. 13 Florida Supreme Court order for allegedly failing to respond to an official inquiry, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.