Matter of Attorneys in Violation of Judiciary Law § 468-a (Akoto), 2024 NY Slip Op 05018 [231 AD3d 1272]

October 10, 2024

Appellate Division, Third Department

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In the Matter of Attorneys in Violation of Judiciary Law § 468-a. Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department, Petitioner; Afua Sarpong Akoto, Respondent. (Attorney Registration No. 5490404.)

Monica A. Duffy, Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department, Albany (Alison M. Coan of counsel), for Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department.

Afua Sarpong Akoto, North Providence, Rhode Island, respondent pro se.

Motion by respondent for an order reinstating her to the practice of law following her suspension by September 2022 order of this Court ( Matter of Attorneys in Violation of Judiciary Law § 468-a , 208 AD3d 1421 , 1423 [3d Dept 2022]; see Rules for Atty Disciplinary Matters [22 NYCRR] § 1240.16; Rules of App Div, 3d Dept [22 NYCRR] § 806.16).

Upon reading respondent’s notice of motion and affidavit with exhibits sworn to August 14, 2024, and the September 9, 2024 responsive correspondence from the Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department, and having determined, by clear and convincing evidence, that (1) respondent has complied with the order of suspension and the rules of this Court, (2) respondent has the requisite character and fitness to practice law, and (3) it would be in the public interest to reinstate respondent to the practice of law ( see Rules for Atty Disciplinary Matters [22 NYCRR] § 1240.16 [a]), it is ordered that respondent’s motion for reinstatement is granted; and it is further ordered that respondent is reinstated as an attorney and counselor-at-law, effective immediately.

Garry, P.J., Lynch, Fisher, McShan and Powers, JJ., concur..