Matter of Taveras; Grievance Committee for the Second
Motion No: 2006-07056
Slip Opinion No: 2007 NYSlipOp 83100(U)
Decided on November 7, 2007
Appellate Division, Second Department, Motion Decision
Published by New York State Law Reporting Bureau pursuant to Judiciary Law § 431.
This motion is uncorrected and is not subject to publication in the Official Reports.


Supreme Court of the State of New York

Appellate Division: Second Judicial Department

M62224

E/nl

A. GAIL PRUDENTI, P.J.

HOWARD MILLER

ROBERT W. SCHMIDT

STEPHEN G. CRANE

DAVID S. RITTER, JJ.

2006-07056

In the Matter of Arelia M. Taveras, admitted

as Arelia Margarita Taveras, a disbarred

attorney.

Grievance Committee for the Second and

Eleventh Judicial Districts, petitioner;

Arelia M. Taveras, respondent.

(Attorney Registration No. 4045290)

DECISION & ORDER ON MOTION

By decision and order on motion dated February 20, 2007, the respondent was suspended from the practice of law upon a finding that she was guilty of professional misconduct immediately threatening the public interest based on uncontroverted evidence that she, inter alia, converted client funds on numerous occasions and submitted forged bank records to the Grievance Committee for the Second and Eleventh Judicial Districts. Pursuant to that order, the Grievance Committee served the respondent with a petition, dated November 30, 2006, containing five charges of professional misconduct. Although represented by Chris G. McDonough, Esq., the respondent failed to submit an answer as directed by the decision and order on motion dated February 20, 2007. That decision and order on motion was served on the respondent via facsimile on February 21, 2007, and by mail on February 23, 2007. The respondent confirmed her receipt of it on February 21, 2007, but failed to timely serve an answer. Accordingly, the Grievance Committee moved to impose discipline upon the respondent based on her default. That motion was granted and the respondent was disbarred by opinion and order dated June 12, 2007. The respondent was admitted to the Bar at a term of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in the Second Judicial Department on May 22, 2002, under the name Arelia Margarita Taveras. The respondent has submitted a resignation dated April 30, 2007, and received by the court on June 11, 2007.

On the court's own motion, it is

ORDERED that the resignation, dated April 30, 2007, but received by the court on June 11, 2007, is rejected in view of the respondent's disbarment on default.

PRUDENTI, P.J., MILLER, SCHMIDT, CRANE and RITTER, JJ., concur.

ENTER:

James Edward Pelzer

Clerk of the Court