On Monday, December 16, 2024, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania issued an order placing attorney John Allen Roth on temporary suspension. This action was taken without Roth’s response to the Court’s Rule to Show Cause, which required Roth to address the allegations against him.
The case is entitled “Office of Disciplinary Counsel v. John Allen Roth,” with case no. 117 DB 2024.
Roth is currently facing serious legal issues, including nine felony charges related to the alleged theft of over $31,000 from an elderly inmate. The allegations assert that he exploited this inmate while she was incarcerated, gaining unauthorized access to her bank account and using the funds for personal gambling activities. The case has drawn significant attention, highlighting concerns about professional ethics and the treatment of vulnerable individuals.
As part of the suspension order, the court mandated that Roth comply with the provisions outlined in the Pennsylvania Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement (Pa.R.D.E. 217). Additionally, the President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Westmoreland County is tasked with taking necessary measures to safeguard the rights of Roth’s clients and any fiduciary entities associated with him.
Furthermore, all financial institutions holding fiduciary funds linked to Roth must freeze those accounts until further notice from an appropriate court. This step aims to prevent any potential mishandling of client funds during the ongoing investigation into Roth’s activities.
Roth’s rights to seek amendment or dissolution of the suspension order remain intact, allowing him to request a quicker resolution of the charges against him per the relevant disciplinary rules. The Supreme Court’s ruling constitutes a public disciplinary action, thereby lifting the veil of confidentiality typically surrounding such proceedings.
The Disposition states:
“AND NOW, this 16th day of December 2024, in the absence of a response to this Court’s Rule to Show Cause, the Rule is made absolute, and John Allen Roth is placed on temporary suspension until further action by this Court.”
According to avvo.com, Mr. Roth is a family attorney in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. He acquired his law license in Pennsylvania in 1979.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
