TALLAHASSEE (Florida Record) — Boynton Beach attorney Rangile Artice Santiago has been voluntarily disbarred following an Aug. 29 Florida Supreme Court order ahead of misappropriation allegations, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
"Charges pending against Santiago in a bar grievance involved misappropriation of client trust funds as well as other misconduct involving surplus funds," the state bar said in its Sept. 26 announcement of the discipline and the court's order.
Santiago's disbarment was effective immediately and with leave to reapply after five years, according to the announcement. Granting the petition served to dismiss all pending disciplinary charges against Santiago. Florida court orders are not final until time to file a rehearing motion expires. Filing such a motion does not alter the effective date of Santiago's suspension.
Attorneys disbarred in Florida generally cannot reapply for admission for five years and must pass an extensive process that includes a rigorous background check and retaking the bar exam.
Santiago was admitted to the bar in Florida on May 4, 2009, according to his profile at the state bar website. No prior discipline before the state bar is listed on Santiago's profile.
Allegations that had been pending against Santiago concerned his alleged misuse of trust funds from surplus funds received from the court registry, according to the petition for disciplinary revocation filed by Santiago. Other pending allegations against Santiago were his facilitation of misappropriation of funds by an entity with which he is affiliated and a check returned following insufficient funds in his trust account.
No known criminal proceedings are pending against Santiago, according to the petition.
"[Santiago] contends that granting this petition will not adversely affect the public interest, the integrity of the courts or the confidence of the public in the legal profession," the petition said. "Further, [Santiago] contends that granting this petition will not hinder the administration of justice."