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Ohio Supreme Court Suspends Attorney Colucci
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- This morning the Ohio Supreme Court imposed an interim suspension on attorney Mark Colucci while it considers further disciplinary action. In issuing the interim suspension, the state Supreme Court said Colucci had "committed numerous violations of the code of professional responsibility and that he poses a substantial threat of serious harm to his clients and the public." Attorney Clair M. Carlin, Mahoning County Bar Association president, praised the work of attorneys David Comstock Jr. and Ronald Slipski and the bar association's grievance committee, which investigated the allegations based on client complaints and proposed the suspension. Carlin said the complaints dealt with violation of certain rules an attorney is required to follow when accepting a case. Colucci "in some of the cases did not appropriately follow through or carry out his retained agreement," Carlin said. During the interim suspension, the state Supreme Court's board of commissioners on grievance and discipline will hear the complaint against Colucci and forward its recommendation on final action to the court. Colucci will have the opportunity to respond to the complaint, Carlin said. He was not sure when this would take place. During the suspension, Colucci is unable to accept new clients and must inform his existing clients that he cannot represent them, and turn over any papers or property in pending matters to clients or their legal counsel. Among other provisions, he was ordered to complete one hour of continuing legal education for each month, or portion of a month, of the suspension, including one hour of instruction related to professional conduct for each six months, or portion of six months, of the suspension. Colucci most recently represented former WKBN anchor and reporter Catherine Bosley, and was successful in blocking sales of photos and videotapes featuring Bosley in a wet T-shirt contest.Two years ago he represented then-Congressman James A. Traficant in a $500 million civil lawsuit he filed in hopes of stopping Traficant's bribery trial from beginning. The lawsuit was dismissed almost as soon as it was filed.Colucci was unavailable for comment. A recording at his law office number informed callers that the number dialed "cannot receive calls.""