In re Waisbren

This is a proceeding to review a recommendation of the Disciplinary Board of the State Bar of California that Avery Waisbren be suspended from the practice of law for four years, commencing September 29, 1972, which was the effective date of our order placing him on interim suspension.

*555 Waisbren, a 46-year-old attorney admitted to practice in 1954, was found guilty by a jury in 1971 on one count of receiving stolen property (Pen. Code, § 496). Six other counts charging violations of the same section were dismissed (Pen. Code, §§ 995, 1118.1). He was placed on probation on conditions which included payment of a $5,000 fine plus $1,250 penalty assessment. The judgment was affirmed. (People v. Waisbren (Nov. 21, 1972) 2 Crim. No. 21420 [unpub. opn.].) He paid the fine and penalty assessment, and in 1973 the court deemed the offense a misdemeanor, terminated his probation (Pen. Code, § 1203.3), and dismissed the case (Pen. Code, § 1203.4).

On August 30, 1972, we placed Waisbren on interim suspension, effective September 29, 1972, since the crime involved moral turpitude (In re Plotner (1971) 5 Cal.3d 714, 715 [ 97 Cal.Rptr. 193 , 488 P.2d 385 ]), and subsequently, after…