The Third Judicial Department of the Appellate Division of the State Supreme Court sided with the Attorney Grievance Committee’s claim that Craig R. Fritzsch did not respond to a requested explanation for two allegations of misconduct.
According to court documents, Fritzsch allegedly “threatened opposing counsel in city court,” and also allegedly “engaged in a conflict of interest and impermissible self-dealing during his representation of a relative in connection with the administration of an estate.”
The Attorney Grievance Committee told the court that Fritzsch did not provide a written report on the allegations or appear for an examination under oath that was scheduled for Feb. 9.
Declaring the committee had submitted sufficient evidence, the court announced it found Fritzsch’s conduct “immediately threatens the public interest and imperils the effectiveness of the attorney disciplinary system.”
Fritzsch’s suspension is to run while the committee’s investigation continues.
If Fritzsch fails to respond or appear within six months, the court said he may be disbarred, “without further notice.”