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TALLAHASSEE--The Florida Bar, the state's guardian for the
integrity of the legal profession, has announced that the Florida Supreme
Court in recent court orders reprimanded two, suspended two, and disbarred
four attorneys.
Court orders are not final until time expires to file a rehearing motion and, if filed, determined. The filing of such a motion does not alter the effective date
of the discipline.
Douglas Wayne Baker, 116 McNeela Dr., Titusville, reprimanded for
professional misconduct following an April 6 court order. Baker is further
placed on probation for an indefinite period of time. (Admitted to
practice: 1997) Baker committed an act that is unlawful or contrary to
honesty and justice; committed a criminal act that reflects adversely on
his honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects; and
failed to fully complete all requirements of the of the practice and
professionalism enhancement program to which he was diverted.
David J. Beasley, 499 N. State Road 434, Ste. 2161, Altamonte Springs,
disbarred from practicing law in Florida, effective immediately following a
March 9 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1986) Among several Bar
violations, Beasley committed a criminal act that reflects adversely on his
honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects; engaged
in conduct in connection with the practice of law that is prejudicial to
the administration of justice; and violated some of the Rules Regulating
Trust Accounts.
Ronald Leon Bloom, 1301 Riverplace Blvd., Ste. 1630, Jacksonville,
suspended from practicing law in Florida on an emergency basis, effective
30 days following an April 10 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1972)
There is clear and convincing evidence that Bloom appears to be causing
great public harm by converting attorney fees previously assigned to a
company; soliciting loans from clients out of settlement proceeds; failing
to deposit client trust funds into a trust account; failing to produce
closing statements on settlements pursuant to a subpoena failing to
maintain minimum trust account records; and being in possession of a
controlled substance.
David Emory Fleet, 35008 Emerald Coast Pkwy., Ste. 202, Destin, suspended
from practicing law in Florida, effective immediately following an April 11
court order. (Admitted to practice: 1987) On Oct. 7, 2005, Fleet was
found guilty of 13 felony counts of wire fraud and aiding and abetting; one
felony count of conspiracy to engage in monetary transactions affecting
interstate commerce and involving criminally derived property of a value
greater than $10,000, and aiding and abetting; six felony counts of money
laundering and ading and abetting; and one felony count of a false
statement to a federal agent. On March 10, Fleet was sentenced to 36
months in federal prison and three years of supervised release under the
control of a probation officer.
Rodney Bernard Robinson, 200 NE 154th St., Miami, reprimanded for
professional misconduct following a Nov. 10, 2005 court order. Robinson is
further placed on probation for three years. (Admitted to practice: 1988)
Robinson engaged in misconduct and minor misconduct; violated or attempted
to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct, knowingly assisted or induced
another to do so, or did so through the acts of another; and committed a
criminal act that reflects adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness or
fitness as a lawyer in other respects.
James Anthony Scandirito, 404 E. Atlantic Blvd., Ste. 101, Pompano Beach,
disbarred from practicing law in Florida, effective 30 days following an
April 13 court order. Scandirito is not eligible for readmission in
Florida unless and until his Michigan license is reinstated. (Admitted to
practice: 1974) Among several Bar violations, engaged in misconduct and
minor misconduct; violated or attempted to violate the Rules of
Professional Conduct, knowingly assisted or induced another to do so, or
did so through the acts of another; and engaged in conduct involving
dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.
Henry Bryant Sims, P.O. Box 2153, Palm Beach, disbarred from practicing law
in Florida, effective immediately following an April 26 court order. (
Admitted to practice: 1969) Sims failed to show cause on or before March
21 why he should not be held in contempt of the Supreme Court of Florida
and disbarred from the practice of law.
Mark Anthony Valentine, 3831 Grand Ave., Coconut Grove, disbarred from
practicing law in Florida, effective immediately following an April 20
court order. (Admitted to practice: 1980) Valentine engaged in conduct
involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation; engaged in
conduct in connection with the practice of law that is prejudicial to the
administration of justice; and violated some of the Rules Regulating Trust
Accounts.
As an official agency of the Supreme Court of Florida, The Florida Bar and
its Department of Lawyer Regulation are charged with the administration of
a statewide disciplinary system to enforce Supreme Court rules of
professional conduct of the 78,000-plus lawyers admitted to practice law in
Florida. 5-26-06
© 2006 North
Country Gazette
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