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Richard Tassano (WSBA No. 13210, admitted 1983), of Everett, was disbarred effective October 15, 2002, by order of the Supreme Court approving a stipulation. Mr. Tassano did not admit or stipulate to the facts in the stipulation, but agreed that at a disciplinary hearing, the WSBA would be able to prove that between July 1998 and December 2000, he used his employer’s funds to make personal purchases.
In 1994, Mr. Tassano established the Washington Appellate Project (WAP). WAP provides representation for indigent appellants in criminal cases. Mr. Tassano was employed as the Executive Director of the WAP from 1994 until July 2001, when he resigned. Between July 8, 1998 and December 28, 2000, Mr. Tassano issued six checks from the WAP account totaling $16,218.72, payable to a camera supply store. In November and December 2000, Mr. Tassano issued two checks from the WAP account totaling $6,008.82, to a computer store. All of these checks were for Mr. Tassano’s personal benefit and were without legitimate business purposes.
Mr. Tassano’s conduct violated RPC 8.4(b), prohibiting criminal conduct that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects; and RPC 8.4(c), prohibiting engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.
Linda Eide and Randy Beitel represented the Bar Association. Leland Ripley represented Mr. Tassano.
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