MEMBERS LOUANN VAN DER WIELE CHAIRPERSON REV. MICHAEL MURRAY VICE-CHAIRPERSON DULCE M. FULLER SECRETARY JAMES A. FINK JOHN W. INHULSEN JONATHAN E. LAUDERBACH BARBARA WILLIAMS FORNEY KAREN D. O'DONOGHUE MICHAEL B. RIZIK, JR.
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
211 WEST FORT STREET, SUITE 1410 DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3236 PHONE: 313-963-5553 I FAX: 313-963-5571
MARK A. ARMITAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WENDY A. NEELEY DEPUTY DIRECTOR SHERRY L. MIFSUD OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER JULIE M_ LOISELLE RECEPTIONISTISECRETARY
NOTICE OF DISBARMENT AND RESTITUTION Case Nos. 15-111-AI; 16-11-JC Notice Issued: November 17,2016 Steven B. Ruza, P 41476, Orchard lake, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri County Hearing Panel #10.
Disbarred, Effective November 17, 20161 Respondent pleaded guilty to conducting a criminal enterprise, in violation of MCl 750.159, a felony, in People of the State of Michigan v Steven Barry Ruza &Home Legal Group, 6th Circuit
Court Case Nos. 15-255833-FH; 15-255834-FH. In accordance with MCR 9.120(B)(1), respondent's license to practice law in Michigan was automatically suspended effective September 4, 2015, the date of respondent's felony conviction. Based on respondent's conviction, the panel found that he committed professional misconduct that violated a criminal law of a state or of the United States, contrary to MCR 9.104(5).
The panel ordered that respondent be disbarred from the practice of law in Michigan and that he pay restitution as ordered in the underlying criminal matter, including payment to the Home Protection Unit Victim Reimbursement Fund at the State of Michigan and to the Client Protection Fund at the State Bar of Michigan for any funds which may have been paid to respondent's former clients. Total costs were assessed in the amount of $1,988.59.
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Mark A. Armitage
1 Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since September 4, 2015. Please see Notice of Automatic Interim Suspension issued September 23, 2015.