On Wednesday, July 3, 2024, the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Appellate Division, Fourth Judicial Department suspended Michael A. Guarino from practicing law for six months.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Michael A. Guarino.”
Guarino had pled guilty in Rochester City Court to offering a false instrument for filing in the second degree, a class A misdemeanor, for submitting fraudulent payment claim vouchers to assigned counsel programs in late 2018. As part of his plea deal, Guarino admitted to intentionally submitting incorrect hours worked on one voucher in October 2018 to the Monroe County Conflict Defender’s Office.
While taking into account Guarino’s unblemished disciplinary record and support from colleagues praising his professionalism, the court determined a six-month suspension was warranted given his admission of knowingly filing false documentation. The suspension is effective retroactively from January 17, 2024, and upon its completion, Guarino may apply for reinstatement to the bar.
According to avvo.com, Mr. Guarino is an attorney in Webster, New York. He acquired his law license in New York in 1997.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
