April 20 June 24, 2002
Erie County
The Supreme Court on April 29 ordered Joseph James DAlba suspended for
three months, as recommended by the Disciplinary Board. According to the disciplinary
report, DAlba, who had been on inactive status since 1996 and has left legal
practice, pleaded no contest in 1995 to two counts of simple assault and guilty to defiant
trespass and simple assault, and was found guilty of indirect criminal contempt for
violating a protection-from-abuse order.
Philadelphia
The Supreme Court on June 19 ordered Russell Wesley Moss disbarred, as
recommended by the Disciplinary Board. According to the disciplinary report, Moss made
materially false and misleading statements and failed to disclose material facts in his
application for admission to the bar in order to conceal a criminal history under an alias
in another state.
The Supreme Court on June 13, acting on an appeal by the Office of
Disciplinary Counsel, ordered Wayne Anthony Rodney suspended for a year and a day.
Disciplinary counsel appealed a March 13 order of the Disciplinary Board that Rodney be
subjected to a private reprimand. According to the disciplinary report, Rodney practiced
law while on inactive status for failing to comply with CLE requirements and pay his
annual assessment.
Out of State
The Supreme Court on April 30 ordered Salvatore DeLello Jr. suspended for two
years, retroactive to the date of his temporary suspension on March 3, 2000, as
recommended by the Disciplinary Board. According to the disciplinary report, DeLello
pleaded guilty in 1999 in New Jersey to commercial bribery, breach of duty to act
disinterestedly, forgery, falsifying records and false swearing. He subsequently agreed to
give up his license there as part of a plea agreement. Justices Ronald D. Castille and
Thomas G. Saylor dissented from the two-year suspension in Pennsylvania, contending
DeLello could at some point be reinstated to practice in Pennsylvania while still on
suspension in New Jersey.
Reciprocal Discipline
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has imposed reciprocal discipline on the following
attorneys: James Samuel DeBosh, suspended for three months, on April 29, for like
discipline imposed by the Supreme Court of New Jersey; Patrick M. Casey, suspended
for three months, on May 8, for like discipline imposed by the Supreme Court of New
Jersey; Renita Reynolds, disbarred, on June 6, for like discipline imposed by the
Supreme Court of Illinois; Edward Bissau Mendy, suspended for six months, on June
6, for like discipline imposed by the Supreme Court of Louisiana; and Shirley A. Hoak,
disbarred, on June 24, for like discipline imposed by the Supreme Judicial Court for
Suffolk County, Massachusetts.
Disbarments on Consent
The following attorneys have been disbarred on consent under a rule of disciplinary
enforcement pertaining to resignations by attorneys under disciplinary investigation: Daniel
Joseph Gates, Allegheny County, on May 8; W. David Marcello, Lycoming County,
on May 8; Tony W. Penn, Dauphin County, on May 20, retroactive to Oct. 22, 2000; James
Esper, Washington County, on May 20; William J. McGarvey, Philadelphia, on June
7; Leslie A. Smallwood, Philadelphia, on June 13; and Joel D. Caney,
Philadelphia, on June 24.
Temporary Suspension Rule 214(f)(1)
The following attorney has been placed on temporary suspension under a rule of
disciplinary enforcement pertaining to attorneys convicted of serious crimes: Robert C.
Jacobs, Philadelphia, on June 13, with referral of the matter to the Disciplinary
Board.
TRANSFERS TO INACTIVE STATUS
April 20 June 24, 2002
The following attorney has been transferred to inactive status in
connection with a rule of disciplinary enforcement pertaining to respondents in
disciplinary proceedings who are suffering from a disability and are unable to prepare an
adequate defense: Thomas William Moore Jr., Philadelphia, on April 29. The
following attorneys have been transferred to inactive status in connection with a rule of
disciplinary enforcement pertaining to attorneys who have been judicially declared
incapacitated or involuntarily committed on the grounds of incapacity: Wilson H.
Oldhouser, York County, on June 19, and Scott Alan Westcott, Allegheny County,
on June 19.
REINSTATEMENTS
April 20 June 24, 2002
The Supreme Court has approved petitions for reinstatement filed by the
following individuals: Douglas Gerald Kunkle, Lehigh County, on May 7, from a
six-month suspension ordered April 19 and made retroactive to Aug. 22, 2001; and John
Mark Logue, Delaware County, on June 6, from a three-year suspension ordered Aug. 17,
1998, and made retroactive to April 24, 1997.
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