Opinion
July 15, 1996
Jerome Karp, P.C., Brooklyn, for resignor.
Robert H. Straus, Brooklyn (Richard Lombardo of counsel), for Grievance Committee for the Second and Eleventh Judicial Districts.
Steve F.C. Apollon has submitted an affidavit, dated May 8, 1996, wherein he tenders his resignation as an attorney and counselor-at-law ( 22 NYCRR 691.9). Mr. Apollon was admitted to the practice of law by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Second Judicial Department, on June 1, 1988, under the name Steve Frederique Apollon.
Mr. Apollon acknowledges the existence of a pending investigation by the Grievance Committee for the Second and Eleventh Judicial Districts into an allegation of professional misconduct that he submitted fraudulent payment vouchers to the Assigned Counsel Plan of the Second Judicial Department. Mr. Apollon acknowledges his inability to successfully defend himself on the merits against any charges predicated upon the aforesaid matter.
The proffered resignation indicates Mr. Apollon's awareness that pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90 (6-a), an order permitting him to resign could require him to make monetary restitution to any person whose money or property was misappropriated or misapplied and to reimburse the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection for same. Mr. Apollon is further aware that any order issued pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90 (6-a) could be entered as a civil judgment against him. He specifically waives the opportunity afforded him by Judiciary Law § 90 (6-a) (f) to be heard in opposition thereto.
Mr. Apollon avers that his resignation is freely and voluntarily tendered, that it is free from coercion and duress, and that he is fully aware of the implications of submitting his resignation.
Grievance Counsel recommends that the Court accept the proffered resignation. Under the circumstances, the resignation of Steve F.C. Apollon as a member of the Bar is accepted and directed to be filed. Accordingly, Steve F.C. Apollon is disbarred and his name is stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law, effective immediately.
MANGANO, P.J., BRACKEN, ROSENBLATT, MILLER and O'BRIEN, JJ., concur.
Ordered that the resignation of Steve F.C. Apollon is accepted and directed to be filed; and it is further,
Ordered that pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90, effective immediately, Steve F.C. Apollon is disbarred and his name is stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law; and it is further,
Ordered that Steve F.C. Apollon shall promptly comply with this Court's rules governing the conduct of disbarred, suspended, and resigned attorneys ( 22 NYCRR 691.10); and it is further,
Ordered that pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90, effective immediately, Steve F.C. Apollon is commanded to desist and refrain from (1) practicing law in any form, either as principal or as agent, clerk or employee of another, (2) appearing as an attorney or counselor-at-law before any court, Judge, Justice, board, commission or other public authority, (3) giving to another an opinion as to the law or its application or any advice in relation thereto, and (4) holding himself out in any way as an attorney and counselor-at-law.