An October Surprise came a little early for Assemblyman Ed Flood’s reelection bid when a state Appellate Court panel disbarred him from practicing law. The decision was announced through the New York Times, the media outlet that dropped the bomb on former Rep. George Santos, leading to his ouster from Congress and eventual guilty pleas to criminal charges.
The opinion from five justices sitting in Brooklyn’s 2nd Appellate Division stems from a complaint alleging that the first term Assemblyman “engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice by failing to cooperate with two Grievance Committee investigations of two client matters, neglected both of these clients’ legal matters, engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation with regard to both clients, and, based on these allegations, engaged in conduct that adversely reflects on the respondent’s fitness as a lawyer.”
According to the findings, the East Setauket legislator failed to file his answer to the charges, together with proof of service of his answer, nor requested additional time to do so. “The Grievance Committee now moves to deem the charges against the respondent established based upon his default and to impose such discipline upon him as this Court deems appropriate.”
“It is essential to recognize that there has been absolutely no finding of fault,” said Flood’s attorney, Steven Losquadro. “Instead, this is simply a matter of paperwork that must be addressed, and we are in the process of forwarding all necessary and relevant documents. We are confident that this matter will be appropriately resolved.” Flood has said in published reports that the complaint stems from disgruntled clients who went ahead with the complaints even after having their fees reimbursed.
Flood shocked the political world by upending the 30-year assembly career of Steve Englebright, a Democrat stalwart who won a seat on the Suffolk Legislature the following year. Flood had previously served as an assistant Brookhaven Town attorney and chief of staff to state Senator Dean Murray when he was an assemblyman. He faces a challenge from Rebecca Kassay, a former Port Jefferson Village trustee, in an area long considered a Democrat stronghold. Outside of his government work, Flood has maintained a private law practice since 2012.
“Ed Flood’s disbarment for misconduct should be disqualifying to represent the 4th Assembly District,” stated Suffolk Democratic Chairman Rich Schaffer. “Despite Flood’s attempts to minimize it, disbarment is a rare and serious penalty taken only against lawyers who have engaged in the gravest misconduct against their clients and their oath to uphold the law. At a minimum, Flood and his political handlers owe the public full and immediate transparency about the multiple complaints that were filed against him by clients he swore to represent. Having been disbarred, Flood has lost the benefit of the doubt to minimize the complaints that led to his disbarment for misconduct.”
Schaffer’s counterpart, GOP leader Jesse Garcia, who also chairs the Brookhaven Republican Committee, commented: “Anybody who knows about big government bureaucracy knows that this occurs on a regular basis. This will in no way deter or slow down Ed Flood’s avid commitment and dedication to deliver as a fighter for the people of the Fourth Assembly District.”
In granting the Grievance Committee’s motion, the Appellate panel disbarred Flood from practicing law in New York State and deemed that his name be stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law. He is to desist and refrain from practicing law in any form, either as principal or as agent, clerk, or employee of another, appearing as an attorney or counselor-at- law before any court, Judge, Justice, board, commission, or other public authority, giving to another an opinion as to the law or its application or any advice in relation thereto, and holding himself out in any way as an attorney and counselor-at-law. His secure pass from the Office of Court Administration was also revoked.
“Of course, they time this right before the election,” said Desiree Glock, a Centereach activist. “The Democrats need to revert to lawfare whenever their candidates are failing.”