Case Title: Disciplinary Counsel v. Sweeney

Citation: 1997-Ohio-92

Docket Number: 19970440

State: ohio

Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Date: 1997-06-18T00:00:00Z

Document:
Office of Disciplinary Counsel v. Sweeney. 
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Sweeney (1997), ____Ohio St. 3d _____.] 
Attorneys at law -- Misconduct -- Indefinite suspension -- Conviction 
for false statements in relation to documents required by 
ERISA. 
 
(No. 97-440 -- Submitted April 16, 1997 -- Decided June 18, 1997.) 
 
ON CERTIFIED REPORT by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances 
and Discipline of the Supreme Court, No. 96-63. 
 
On September 26, 1996, pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(5)(A)(2), we 
indefinitely suspended respondent, Raymond J. Sweeney of Andover, 
Massachusetts, Attorney Registration No. 0054540, from the practice of law 
in Ohio based upon notification by the Board of Commissioners on 
Grievances and Discipline of the Supreme Court (“board”) that respondent 
had been convicted of a felony in a federal court in Virginia.  In that same 
order, we referred the matter to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, relator, 
for investigation. 
 
On August 12, 1996, relator filed a complaint charging that 
respondent’s conduct resulting in his felony conviction constituted a 
violation DR 1-102(A)(4) (engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, 
 
2
deceit, or misrepresentation) and 2-107(A)(1) (division of fees among 
lawyers in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer).  
Respondent failed to answer the complaint, and relator filed a motion for 
default judgment. 
 
Based on the evidence attached to the motion, a panel of the board 
found that while serving as counsel to the Sheet Metal Workers’ National 
Pension Fund from April 1990 until approximately July 26, 1991, 
respondent was also professionally affiliated with the Washington, D.C. law 
firm of Katz & Ranzman.  During that period, respondent submitted bills to 
the pension fund falsely attributing material amounts of legal work to 
attorneys affiliated with Katz & Ranzman when that legal work was 
properly attributable to himself.  Because he submitted such bills, 
respondent was charged with violating Section 1027, Title 18, U.S. Code 
(false statements in relation to documents required by ERISA).  Respondent 
pled guilty to the felony charge, was convicted, and was placed on two 
years’ probation and fined $7,500. 
 
The panel concluded that the respondent had violated the Disciplinary 
Rules as charged and recommended that he be indefinitely suspended from 
 
3
the practice of law in Ohio.  The board adopted the findings, conclusions, 
and recommendation of the panel. 
____________________________________ 
 
Geoffrey Stern, Disciplinary Counsel, and Cynthia C. Roehl, 
Assistant Disciplinary Counsel, for relator. 
____________________________________ 
 
Per Curiam.  We adopt the findings, conclusions, and 
recommendation of the board.  Respondent is hereby suspended indefinitely 
from the practice of law in Ohio.  Costs are taxed to respondent. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Judgment accordingly. 
 
MOYER, C.J., DOUGLAS, RESNICK, F.E. SWEENEY, PFEIFER, COOK 
and LUNDBERG STRATTON, JJ., concur.