Appellate Division: Second Judicial Department

M264987

E/mm

ALAN D. SCHEINKMAN, P.J.

WILLIAM F. MASTRO

REINALDO E. RIVERA

MARK C. DILLON

VALERIE BRATHWAITE NELSON, JJ.

2019-02628 In the Matter of Harrison J. Edwards, Jr., an attorney and counselor-at-law. Grievance Committee for the Tenth Judicial District, petitioner; Harrison J. Edwards, Jr., respondent. (Attorney Registration No. 1280379)

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE

Motion by the Grievance Committee for the Tenth Judicial District pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(4)(f) and 22 NYCRR 1240.12(b)(2) and (c)(2)(ii), to suspend the respondent from the practice of law based on his conviction of a serious crime, and pursuant to 22 NYCRR 1240.12(c)(2)(i) for an order directing him to show cause why a final order of discipline should not be made. On December 18, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, the respondent was convicted of a single count of 26 USC § 7203, willful failure to file return, a misdemeanor. On September 23, 2013, the respondent was sentenced to four years probation, and directed to pay restitution in the sum of $167,578, a $20,000 fine, and a $25 assessment. 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 23, 1977.

Upon the papers filed in support of the motion and no papers having been filed in opposition or in relation thereto, it is

ORDERED that the motion is granted, and it is further

ORDERED that the respondent, Harrison J. Edwards, Jr., is immediately suspended from the practice of law in the State of New York, pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(4)(f) and 22 NYCRR §§ 1240.12(c)(2)(ii), based on his conviction of a serious crime, continuing until further order of this Court; and it is further,

ORDERED that the respondent, Harrison J. Edwards, Jr., shall promptly comply with this Court's rules governing the conduct of disbarred or suspended attorneys (see 22 NYCRR 1240.15); and it is further,

ORDERED that pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90, during the period of suspension and until further order of this Court, the respondent, Harrison J. Edwards, Jr., is commanded to desist and refrain from (1) practicing law in any form, either as principal or 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; and it is further,

ORDERED that pursuant to 22 NYCRR 1240.12(c)(2)(i), the respondent, Harrison J. Edwards, Jr., is directed to show cause why a final order of suspension, censure, or disbarment should not be made based on his conviction of a serious crime by filing an affidavit with the Clerk of the Court, with proof of service upon the Grievance Committee for the Tenth Judicial District, on or before October 7, 2019; and it is further,

ORDERED that the Grievance Committee for the Tenth Judicial District shall serve a response to the papers filed by the respondent, Harrison J. Edwards, Jr., if any, on or before October 21, 2019; and it is further,

ORDERED that the Clerk of the Court, or her designee, shall serve a copy of this order to show cause and the papers upon which it is based on the Grievance Committee for the Tenth Judicial District, by regular mail; and it is further,

ORDERED that the Grievance Committee for the Tenth Judicial District shall serve the respondent, Harrison J. Edwards, Jr., with a copy of this order to show cause and the papers upon which it is based pursuant to CPLR 2103(c) and file proof of service with this Court on or before September 6, 2019; and it is further,

ORDERED that if the respondent, Harrison J. Edwards, Jr., has been issued a secure pass by the Office of Court Administration, it shall be returned forthwith to the issuing agency and the respondent shall certify to the same in his affidavit of compliance pursuant to 22 NYCRR 1240.15(f).

SCHEINKMAN, P.J., MASTRO, RIVERA, DILLON and BRATHWAITE NELSON, JJ., concur.

ENTER:

Aprilanne Agostino

Clerk of the Court