In the Matter of Joseph Derrick Lento, an Attorney

Holding The court granted the Attorney Grievance Committee’s motion to impose reciprocal discipline, finding that the respondent failed to establish any defenses against the imposition of discipline based on his misconduct in other jurisdictions. The court suspended the respondent for three years, citing aggravating factors such as a serious pattern of misconduct and failure to report prior discipline.

The court’s words

we suspend respondent for a period of three years

2026 NY Slip Op 05249, at the official text

respondent has not established any of the available defenses

2026 NY Slip Op 05249, at the official text

crafting a sanction that protects the public, maintains the honor and integrity of the profession or deters others from engaging in similar misconduct

2026 NY Slip Op 05249, at the official text

respondent failed to report his discipline in either Virginia or New Jersey

2026 NY Slip Op 05249, at the official text

we are not obligated to impose the same sanction as that imposed by the foreign tribunal

2026 NY Slip Op 05249, at the official text