NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION Case Nos. 98-68-GA; 98-138-FA Thomas A. Ricca, P-23561, Southfield, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #85.
1) Suspension - 180 Days; 1 2) Effective February 6, 1999. The complainant retained respondent to represent her in litigation involving claims of breach of contract and civil rights. Respondent filed an action in Wayne County Circuit Court. The panel found, by default, that respondent neglected the matter; failed to refund the unearned $2,000 fee upon request; failed to answer the Request for Investigation; and failed to answer the Formal Complaints. Respondent also failed to appear at the disciplinary hearing.
The panel concluded that respondent's conduct violated MCR 9.103(C); MCR 9.104(1)-(4) and (7); MCR 9.113(A) and (B)(2); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(a)-(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4; 1.5(a); 1.16(d); 3.2; 8.1(b); and 8.4(a) and (c).
The panel ordered that respondent be suspended from the practice of law in Michigan for a period of 180 days and make restitution to the complainant in the sum of $4,632.35. Costs were assessed in the amount of $192.54.
1 Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since June 6, 1996.