Appellate Division: Second Judicial Department

M185247

E/ct

RANDALL T. ENG, P.J.

WILLIAM F. MASTRO

REINALDO E. RIVERA

MARK C. DILLON

RUTH C. BALKIN, JJ.

2010-01047 In the Matter of Peter J. Galasso, admitted as Peter John Galasso, a suspended attorney. (Attorney Registration No. 1783984)

DECISION & ORDER ON MOTION FOR REINSTATEMENT

Motion by Peter J. Galasso for reinstatement to the Bar as an attorney and counselor-at-law. The respondent was admitted to the Bar at a term of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in the Second Judicial Department on March 10, 1982, under the name Peter John Galasso.

By decision and order on motion of this Court dated April 30, 2010, the Grievance Committee for the Ninth Judicial District was authorized to institute and prosecute a disciplinary proceeding against Mr. Galasso, based upon the acts of professional misconduct set forth in a verified petition dated January 21, 2010. By opinion and order of this Court dated February 21, 2012, Mr. Galasso was suspended from the practice of law for a period of two years, based upon his failure "to maintain appropriate vigilance over his firm's bank accounts, resulting in actual and substantial harm to clients." By opinion of the Court of Appeals dated October 23, 2012, the opinion and order of this Court dated February 21, 2012, was modified by dismissing charge five of the petition (failure to cooperate), and the matter was remitted to this Court to "reconsider whether the suspension previously imposed remains an appropriate sanction." By decision and order on remittitur dated December 19, 2012, this Court adhered to its prior sanction of the two-year suspension, and directed Mr. Galasso's suspension effective March 5, 2013, with leave to apply for reinstatement no earlier than September 5, 2014.

Upon the papers filed in support of the motion and the papers filed in relation thereto, it is

ORDERED that the motion is held in abeyance and the matter is referred to the Committee on Character and Fitness to investigate and report on Peter John Galasso's current character and general fitness to practice law, including, but not limited to, the efforts he has made towards restitution, his remorse, and the nature of his valuation business, which he operates from his former law office.

ENG, P.J., MASTRO, RIVERA, DILLON and BALKIN, JJ., concur.

ENTER:

Aprilanne Agostino

Clerk of the Court