TALLAHASSEE — Miami attorney Kenneth Joseph Kukec has been suspended an additional three years following an April 27 Florida Supreme Court ruling that found him in contempt for noncompliance with a previous suspension, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
The high court's latest order against Kukec represented his fifth suspension since 2014.
"Kukec was found in contempt for noncompliance," the state bar said in its May 29 announcement of the attorney's latest discipline and the Supreme Court's most recent order against him.
Justice Jorge Labarga
| Florida Supreme Court
"He failed to comply with the terms of a Sept. 22, 2017, suspension order. Specifically, Kukec was required to notify his clients, opposing counsel and tribunals of his suspension, and provide the bar within 30 days a sworn affidavit listing the names and addresses of all persons and entities that were furnished a copy of his suspension order."
In September, Kukec was suspended for a year following a Supreme Court order that found him in contempt for failing to comply with requirements of previous suspensions stemming from cocaine charges in 2014.
The state Supreme Court issued its latest two-page order against Kukec following a previously issued order to show cause, to which Kukec did not respond. The high court granted the state bar's petition for contempt and ordered Kukec to pay $1,250 in costs.
Kukec's current suspension status meant that his latest suspension took effect immediately.
In Florida, court orders are not final until after the period for filing a rehearing motion expires. Filing such a motion would not alter the effective date of the Kukec's latest suspension.
Kukec was admitted to the bar in Florida on Nov. 14, 1986, according to his profile at the state bar website.
In October, the state bar attempted to notify Kukec of his noncompliance with the conditions of his suspension, but an email sent to Kukec was not successful, and he did not submit a required affidavit, according to the state bar's petition for contempt.
"Consequently, The Florida Bar is unaware whether respondent notified any clients, opposing counsel and tribunals of his suspension," the petition said.