Statewide Grievance Committee v. Rhee, No. Cv 98-0585811s (Dec. 17, 2002)

**What Happened** Attorney Andrew David Rhee was accused of serious criminal conduct involving financial fraud. He participated in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud, making 130 illegal trades that generated $4.7 million in unlawful profits. The Statewide Grievance Committee, which oversees attorney conduct, brought disciplinary action against him for these criminal activities. **What the Court Decided** The court ruled against Rhee and imposed the harshest possible punishment: disbarment. This means Rhee permanently lost his license to practice law. The court found that his felony conviction for conspiracy to commit wire fraud violated the fundamental professional duties that all attorneys must uphold, specifically the requirements of honesty and integrity. **Why This Matters for Workers** This case demonstrates that professional licensing boards take criminal conduct seriously, especially when it involves dishonesty or fraud. Workers in licensed professions should understand that criminal convictions can end their careers, even if the crimes weren't directly related to their job duties. The legal profession maintains strict ethical standards, and violations can result in losing the right to work in that field permanently. This protects the public by ensuring professionals maintain high standards of conduct.