THE FLORIDA BAR v. KENNETH JOSEPH KUKEC (2017)

This is before the Court on The Florida Bar's Petition for Contempt and Order to Show Cause.

The Court having issued its Order to Show Cause to respondent and respondent having failed to file a response to said Order to Show Cause,

IT IS ORDERED that The Florida Bar's petition is granted and respondent is held in contempt of this Court's order. As a sanction, respondent is suspended from the practice of law for ninety-one days, effective thirty days from the date of this order so that respondent can close out his practice and protect the interests of existing clients. If respondent notifies this Court in writing that he is no longer practicing and does not need the thirty days to protect existing clients, this Court will enter an order making the suspension effective immediately. Respondent shall fully comply with Rule Regulating the Florida Bar 3-5.1(h). Respondent's probationary period in Case No. SC15-1420 is hereby terminated and respondent is required to pay the monitoring fee arrearages in TFB File No. 2015-70,069(11A) in the amount of $1,600.00 prior to petitioning for reinstatement. Furthermore, as a condition of reinstatement, respondent shall undergo a substance abuse evaluation by an approved FLA, Inc. provider and receive a recommendation from FLA, Inc. in support of his reinstatement. In addition, respondent shall accept no new business from the date this order is filed until he is reinstated.

Judgment is entered for The Florida Bar, 651 East Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2300, for recovery of costs from Kenneth Joseph Kukec in the amount of $1,250.00, for which sum let execution issue.

Not final until time expires to file motion for rehearing, and if filed, determined. The filing of a motion for rehearing shall not alter the effective date of this suspension.

A True Copy

Test:

John A. Tomasino Clerk, Supreme Court

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Served:

ARNE CARL VANSTRUM

KENNETH JOSEPH KUKEC

ADRIA E. QUINTELA

LABARGA, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, QUINCE, CANADY, POLSTON, and LAWSON, JJ., concur.