Two Florida Lawyers Disciplined for Involvement in Ponzi Schemes

The Florida Bar announced that it had handed down disciplinary sanctions against two Florida lawyers implicated in recent Ponzi schemes.  Howard Kusnick, implicated for his role in Howard Rothstein's $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme, and Michael McNerney, who was the lead attorney for Mutual Benefits Corp., each received the Florida Bar's official decision on their future ability to practice law.  Kusnick was disbarred for his role, while McNerney received an indefinite suspension from the practice of law.

Kusnick is currently awaiting sentencing after entering a guilty plea to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with Rothstein's Ponzi scheme.  McNerney, earlier sentenced to five years in prison for his role as counsel for the failed Mutual Benefits Corp., received an indefinite suspension from the Florida Bar.  

A copy of Kusnick's Disbarment Consent is here.

A copy of McNerney's Guilty Plea is here.