MEMBERS MICHAEL B. RIZIK, JR. CHAIRPERSON LINDA S. HOTCHKISS, MD VICE-CHAIRPERSON REV. DR. LOUIS J. PRUES SECRETARY KAREN D. O’DONOGHUE MICHAEL S. HOHAUSER
PETER A. SMIT ALAN GERSHEL LINDA M. ORLANS JASON M. TURKISH
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
333 WEST FORT STREET, SUITE 1700
MARK A. ARMITAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR — WENDY A. NEELEY DEPUTY DIRECTOR — KAREN M. DALEY ASSOCIATE COUNSEL — SHERRY MIFSUD OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR —
ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER — JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONIST/SECRETARY —
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3147
PHONE: 313-963-5553
www.adbmich.org
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION Case No. 22-7-GA Notice Issued: May 27, 2022 George D. Gostias, P 73774, Livonia, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #17
Suspension - 180 Days, Effective May 27, 2022 After proceedings conducted pursuant to MCR 9.115, the panel found, by default, that respondent committed professional misconduct when, after being retained and paid $2,000 to assist in expunging a client’s felony record, he abandoned the representation without ever taking any action on his client’s behalf and failed to respond to a request for investigation he acknowledged receiving in an email to the Administrator’s counsel.
Based on respondent’s default, and the evidence presented at the hearing, the panel found that respondent neglected a legal matter entrusted to him, in violation of MRPC 1.1(c); failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing his client, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to keep his client reasonably informed about the status of a matter, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); failed to take reasonable steps to protect his client’s interests upon termination of a representation, such as giving reasonable notice to the client, allowing time for employment of other counsel, surrendering papers and property the client is entitled to, and refunding any advance fee that has not been earned, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d); knowingly failed to respond to a lawful demand for information, in violation of MRPC 8.1(a)(2); and, failed to answer a request for investigation, in violation of MCR 9.104(7) and MCR 9.113(A) and (B)(2). Respondent was also found to have violated MRPC 8.4(a) and (c); and MCR 9.104(1)-(4).
The panel ordered that respondent’s license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for 180 days and that he pay restitution in the total amount of $2,000.00. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,680.44.