Notice - Disciplinary Review Board - Defaults Scheduled for Review on February 16, 2023.

DEFAULTS SCHEDULED FOR REVIEW BY THE DISCIPLINARY REVIEW BOARD THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023
The following matters have been certified to the Disciplinary Review Board as defaults, in accordance with R. 1:20-4(f):

In the Matter of Santo V. Artusa, Jr.
Docket No. DRB 22-209
District Docket No. XIV-2020-0118E

In the Matter of David Wayne Crook
Docket No. DRB 22-215
District Docket No. XIV-2022-0388E

In the Matter of Nabil Nadim Kassem
Docket No. DRB 22-216
District Docket No. XIV-2020-0111E

These matters are scheduled to be reviewed by the Board on Thursday, February 16, 2023. R. 1:20-4(f) provides that an attorney-respondent’s failure to timely file an answer “shall be deemed an admission that the allegations of the complaint are true and . . . provide sufficient basis for the imposition of discipline.” Although chances for a successful motion are limited, a motion to 
vacate the default may be filed with the Board by no later than January 17, 2023. MOTIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE REVIEWED BY THE BOARD. The motion should specify why the attorney-respondent failed to file a timely answer (including lack of notice) and should set forth any claimed meritorious defenses to the ethics charge. The motion must also be simultaneously served on the Director of the Office of Attorney Ethics and, where appropriate, the district ethics committee responsible for the underlying ethics matter. A certification regarding that service must accompany 
any documents filed with the Board.

Respondents are hereby advised that, generally, in a default matter, the discipline is enhanced to reflect a respondent’s failure to cooperate with disciplinary authorities as an aggravating factor. In re Kivler, 193 N.J. 332, 338 (2008). Respondents may communicate with the Board by contacting the Office of Board Counsel at: P.O. Box 962, Trenton, NJ 08625, Telephone: 609-815-2920, E-Mail: DRB.MBX@njcourts.gov.