Former state Rep. Jesse White disbarred in Pennsylvania
The state Supreme Court noted in a tersely worded order filed June 26 that former legislator Jesse White has been disbarred on his own consent after allegations surfaced that he misappropriated more than $100,000 with which clients entrusted him.
White, 39, a Cecil Township resident who practiced law in McDonald, tendered his unconditional and voluntary resignation from practicing law in Pennsylvania. He also remains on suspension by court order dated March 15.
White was admitted to the bar in 2003. The Democrat was elected to the legislature from the 46th District in 2006, serving until he was defeated in 2014 by Republican Jason Ortitay. The district covers parts of Allegheny and Washington counties, including South Fayette, Oakdale, Bridgeville, McDonald, Collier and Cecil.
He retained legal counsel, not identified in online court documents, and acted upon an attorney’s advice, according to a filing earlier this month with the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
White acknowledged the allegations against him that he misappropriated $105,343 five clients entrusted to him in 2015 and 2016.
The Supreme Court also ordered him to pay costs to the disciplinary board.
White has retained, consulted with and acted upon the advice of counsel in his resignation, according to the case file, but it does not name his attorney.
In March, when an order from the state Supreme Court panel ordered that White be placed on emergency temporary suspension over allegations that he breached rules of conduct, White was represented by Pittsburgh attorney Amy J. Coco, who states on her firm’s website that she focuses her practice on defending professional liability claims against lawyers, insurance agents and real estate professionals. Coco in March sought to block the temporary suspension because her client had “sought help for a pathological gambling addiction” and placed himself on a list for exclusion from state casinos. She did not immediately return messages for comment.
White submitted his resignation “because he knows that he could not successfully defend himself against the charges of professional misconduct set forth,” according to a filing made available online which bears his signature. A disbarred attorney can apply for reinstatement of his license to practice law from one to five years.