On Wednesday, February 5, 2025, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania suspended attorney Tancredi William Calabrese from practicing law for a period of five years, retroactive to April 25, 2020. This decision follows a series of disciplinary proceedings initiated by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC), which revealed serious misconduct, including a criminal conviction and violations of professional conduct.
The case is entitled “Office of Disciplinary Counsel v. Tancredi William Calabrese,” with case no. 121 DB 2019 and 32 DB 2020.
In June 2018, the Pennsylvania State Police launched an investigation after a client reported that Calabrese initiated a conversation, including money laundering, during a consultation. This sparked a broader inquiry into his actions, leading to the identification of a confidential informant who engaged with Calabrese about setting up a shell company for illicit purposes.
The investigation culminated in Calabrese’s arrest on February 13, 2020. He was charged with several crimes, including a criminal attempt to deal with the proceeds of unlawful activities. On June 3, 2021, he pled guilty to Criminal Attempt–Dealing in Proceeds of Unlawful Activities.
Simultaneously, Calabrese faced allegations of neglect and misconduct in multiple client matters. The ODC filed a petition for an emergency temporary suspension on February 20, 2020, citing his arrest and ongoing investigations into his practice. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania granted this suspension on March 26, 2020, effective April 25, 2020.
In the disciplinary hearings that followed, evidence revealed that Calabrese had failed to provide adequate representation to several clients, neglected to communicate effectively, and mismanaged client funds. He admitted to these violations during the proceedings, acknowledging that he had not maintained proper records and had deposited unearned fees into his business operating account instead of his trust account.
The Disciplinary Board’s report highlighted a troubling pattern of behavior, noting Calabrese’s failure to appear in court for scheduled hearings and his lack of responsiveness to clients. Among the specific cases cited, he was found to have mishandled payments and was slow to issue refunds for unearned fees, causing additional distress to his clients.
In addition to the professional misconduct, the hearings revealed that Calabrese had been struggling with substance abuse issues for several years. He admitted to a history of drug addiction beginning in college, which escalated during his law practice. His addiction significantly impacted his ability to perform his duties as an attorney.
Throughout the disciplinary process, Calabrese sought to demonstrate his commitment to recovery, stating that he had been sober since completing a rehabilitation program in July 2020. He testified about his participation in counseling and support groups, as well as his efforts to make amends to affected clients.
The Disciplinary Board ultimately recommended a five-year suspension, taking into account both the severity of Calabrese’s misconduct and the mitigating factors surrounding his mental health struggles and commitment to recovery. The Board emphasized that while his actions warranted significant disciplinary action, his efforts toward rehabilitation should also be considered.
The Supreme Court’s order mandates that Calabrese comply with the provisions of the Pennsylvania Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement and pay any costs associated with the disciplinary proceedings. The suspension is intended to protect the public and maintain the integrity of the legal profession.
The Disposition states:
“AND NOW, this 5th day of February 2025, upon consideration of the Report and Recommendations of the Disciplinary Board, Tancredi William Calabrese is suspended from the Bar of this Commonwealth for a period of five years, retroactive to April 25, 2020.”
According to avvo.com, Mr. Calabrese is a business attorney in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. He attended the Nova Southeastern University – Shepard Broad Law Center, graduating in 2013. He acquired his law license in Pennsylvania in the same year.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
