On Thursday, September 21, 2023, the Supreme Court of Illinois entered an order striking Thomas Alexander Kantas’s name from the roll of attorneys licensed to practice law in Illinois amid allegations of fraud and deception.

The case is entitled “In the Matter of Thomas Alexander Kantas,” and was brought by the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission with case no. 031805.

According to the statement of charges prepared by the Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, Kantas engaged in a scheme to mislead five clients regarding the status of their matters by making false statements, creating false settlement negotiation communications, pleadings, and court orders, and falsely stating to the court that a default judgment had been entered in favor of his client. Kantas’s conduct, as outlined in the statement of charges, is egregious and unethical. He betrayed the trust of his clients and the legal system by lying to them and creating false documents. His actions have brought disrepute to the legal profession and undermined the integrity of the court. It is fitting that he be held accountable for his actions and that his name be stricken from the Roll of Attorneys.

In the first matter, he agreed to represent Matthew Babich in a personal injury claim against Steban Maldonado related to a motor vehicle collision. Kantas filed a complaint against Maldonado in the Circuit Court of Cook County but failed to inform Babich that the court had dismissed the matter for want of prosecution. Kantas created false circuit court orders, forged court-entered stamps, and created false appellate court case pleadings and orders to mislead Babich about the status of the matter.

In the second matter, Kantas agreed to represent Kenneth Wilkey in personal injury and property damage claims against Northern Illinois Gas Company related to a gas explosion at Wilkey’s property. Kantas filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of Cook County but failed to inform Wilkey that the matter had been dismissed due to lack of activity. Kantas created false circuit court orders, forged court-entered stamps, and created false documents to mislead Wilkey about the status of his matter.

In the third matter, Kantas agreed to represent Nick Giokas as an administrator of the estate of Angeline Giokas in a medical malpractice claim against Advocate Christ Medical Center related to Angeline Giokas’s death. Kantas filed a complaint against Advocate and others in the Circuit Court of Cook County but failed to effectuate service on Advocate. Kantas falsely stated to Giokas that the court had granted summary judgment in his favor in the amount of $6,000,000 and that the court had granted sanctions against opposing counsel for Advocate totaling several hundred thousand dollars. Kantas created false circuit court orders, forged court-entered stamps, created false documents, and fabricated a false email message from the Cook County Clerk’s Office to mislead Giokas about the status of his matter.

The Supreme Court of Illinois took action against Kantas by striking his name from the roll of licensed attorneys. This decision was based on Kantas’s own motion to voluntarily surrender his license, which the court allowed. As a result, Kantas’s name was removed from the list of licensed attorneys in Illinois.

According to avvo.com, Mr. Kantas was a criminal defense attorney in Palos Heights, Illinois.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.