State Assemb. Edward A. Flood, who is seeking 2nd term, disbarred for misconduct, appellate judges rule
Republican Assemb. Edward A. Flood, who was disbarred as an attorney and is seeking his second term in the state Legislature, vowed to remain in the race Wednesday. Credit: James Escher
Republican Assemb. Edward A. Flood has been disbarred as an attorney because of actions he took while representing a client in his private law practice, Brooklyn state appellate judges ruled Wednesday.
Flood, who is seeking his second two-year term in the State Legislature, neglected the unnamed client and "engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation," the Second Appellate Division said in its ruling.
The 5-0 decision bars Flood from practicing law in New York but has no direct impact on his reelection bid.
He vowed to remain in the race Wednesday.
“There was no admission of guilt in any way,” he told Newsday, saying the case stemmed from a "dispute with a disgruntled client."
“This was a complaint from a client. I ended up giving him all his money back, but he filed a complaint anyway,” Flood said.
The order from the appellate court does not detail the complaint filed against Flood or identify who filed the complaint. The order states that the matter involved two clients.
Flood's Democratic opponent, Rebecca Kassay, a former Port Jefferson Village trustee, could not immediately be reached for comment.
The race is considered among the most competitive on Long Island.
Flood, 42, of Port Jefferson, upended local politics in 2022 when he upset longtime incumbent Assemb. Steve Englebright (D-East Setauket).
Flood has maintained a private law practice since 2012. During that time he also has been a chief of staff to then-Assemb. Dean Murray and an assistant Brookhaven Town attorney.
Suffolk and Brookhaven Republican chairman Jesse Garcia said Flood's disbarment was "unfortunate, but it will be rectified."
“Anybody who knows about big government bureaucracy knows that this occurs on a regular basis," Garcia said. “This will in no way deter or slow down his avid commitment and dedication to deliver as a fighter for the people of the Fourth Assembly District.”
In its decision, judges said Flood had been served with legal papers in January outlining six charges alleging he had failed to cooperate with the court's Grievance Committee, which hears complaints against attorneys, neglected clients and engaged in unspecified misconduct.
"To date, the respondent [Flood] has neither served nor filed an answer to the petition as directed, nor requested additional time in which to do so," the decision said.
Flood was informed of a motion to disbar him in February but he "neither opposed the instant motion nor interposed any other response thereto," the decision stated.
Flood said the dispute with the court was over missing paperwork, adding, "I expect my license to be restored.”
Flood's lawyer, Steven Losquadro, said in a statement “it is essential to recognize that there has been absolutely no finding of fault. Instead, this is simply a matter of paperwork that must be addressed, and we are in the process of forwarding all necessary and relevant documents. We are confident that this matter will be appropriately resolved.”
With Vera Chinese
Republican Assemb. Edward A. Flood has been disbarred as an attorney because of actions he took while representing a client in his private law practice, Brooklyn state appellate judges ruled Wednesday.
Flood, who is seeking his second two-year term in the State Legislature, neglected the unnamed client and "engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation," the Second Appellate Division said in its ruling.
The 5-0 decision bars Flood from practicing law in New York but has no direct impact on his reelection bid.
He vowed to remain in the race Wednesday.
“There was no admission of guilt in any way,” he told Newsday, saying the case stemmed from a "dispute with a disgruntled client."
“This was a complaint from a client. I ended up giving him all his money back, but he filed a complaint anyway,” Flood said.
The order from the appellate court does not detail the complaint filed against Flood or identify who filed the complaint. The order states that the matter involved two clients.
Flood's Democratic opponent, Rebecca Kassay, a former Port Jefferson Village trustee, could not immediately be reached for comment.
The race is considered among the most competitive on Long Island.
Flood, 42, of Port Jefferson, upended local politics in 2022 when he upset longtime incumbent Assemb. Steve Englebright (D-East Setauket).
Flood has maintained a private law practice since 2012. During that time he also has been a chief of staff to then-Assemb. Dean Murray and an assistant Brookhaven Town attorney.
Suffolk and Brookhaven Republican chairman Jesse Garcia said Flood's disbarment was "unfortunate, but it will be rectified."
“Anybody who knows about big government bureaucracy knows that this occurs on a regular basis," Garcia said. “This will in no way deter or slow down his avid commitment and dedication to deliver as a fighter for the people of the Fourth Assembly District.”
In its decision, judges said Flood had been served with legal papers in January outlining six charges alleging he had failed to cooperate with the court's Grievance Committee, which hears complaints against attorneys, neglected clients and engaged in unspecified misconduct.
"To date, the respondent [Flood] has neither served nor filed an answer to the petition as directed, nor requested additional time in which to do so," the decision said.
Flood was informed of a motion to disbar him in February but he "neither opposed the instant motion nor interposed any other response thereto," the decision stated.
Flood said the dispute with the court was over missing paperwork, adding, "I expect my license to be restored.”
Flood's lawyer, Steven Losquadro, said in a statement “it is essential to recognize that there has been absolutely no finding of fault. Instead, this is simply a matter of paperwork that must be addressed, and we are in the process of forwarding all necessary and relevant documents. We are confident that this matter will be appropriately resolved.”
With Vera Chinese
Carl MacGowan is a Long Island native who covers Brookhaven Town after having previously covered Smithtown, Suffolk County courts and numerous spot news and feature stories over his 20-plus year career at Newsday.
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Newsday Live Music Series: Long Island Idols Newsday Live presents a special evening of music and conversation with local singers who grabbed the national spotlight on shows like "The Voice," "America's Got Talent,""The X-Factor" and "American Idol." Newsday Senior Lifestyle Host Elisa DiStefano leads a discussion and audience Q&A as the singers discuss their TV experiences, careers and perform original songs.
