The Florida Supreme Court sanctioned 20 attorneys in a recent series of disciplinary rulings that include cases related to fraud accusations, sexual offenses involving minors, and even an alleged plot to assassinate a singer.
The Florida Bar reported that the orders, issued between late August and September, resulted in 15 attorneys being suspended, three having their licenses revoked, one being expelled from the profession, and another receiving a public reprimand.
Among the most notable cases is that of Central Florida attorney Francisco Javier González, who received a provisional suspension for a felony after being arrested in May in Seminole County based on a warrant issued in California.
González faces charges of conspiracy, attempted first-degree murder, and solicitation of murder, all still pending.
The case has a background that goes beyond the disciplinary file. According to WFTV based on information from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, González, his daughter Gabriela Lauren González, and a third defendant are implicated in an alleged contract murder plot against singer Jack Avery, a former member of the group Why Don't We.
Prosecutors maintain that the alleged plan arose amid a custody dispute over the daughter that Avery shares with Gabriela González, and that the accused allegedly attempted to hire a hitman through the dark web. The three face charges and retain the presumption of innocence as the process continues.
Accused of appropriating more than 890,000 dollars
Another one of those suspended is Melissia K. Gauthreaux, a lawyer and certified public accountant from Florida, who faces six federal charges of electronic fraud.
The Federal Prosecutor's Office for the Middle District of Florida reported that Gauthreaux is accused of using an accounting firm that she founded and managed to misappropriate over $890,000 from a client, described in the indictment as a public figure.
According to the prosecutors, between 2017 and 2021, he had authorization to operate the victim's bank accounts and allegedly withdrew money without her knowledge or consent. The federal government is also seeking the confiscation of $894,274 related to the charged crimes. The charges remain pending, and Gauthreaux retains the presumption of innocence.
Two lawyers face charges related to minors
The Court also suspended Jackson Santiago Lainez, a lawyer based in Coral Gables and a member of the Bar Association since 2006.
According to the Florida Bar Association, Lainez was formally charged on February 26 with two counts of lewd conduct involving minors. According to the record, he is accused of performing sexual acts in the presence of his two minor children, and the case is still pending before the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court in Miami-Dade.
Alejandro Rafael López, Orlando's attorney since 1989, also received a provisional suspension.
López faces charges for using a computer to seduce or attempt to induce a minor to engage in a sexual act, illegal use of a communication device, and harmful communications with a minor, all classified as third-degree felonies.
The charges stem from an arrest that took place in December 2025 and were formally filed in January of this year. The case remains pending.
False document to take away a property from a man
The list also includes Ashley Ruth Morin, an attorney professionally connected to Boca Raton, who was suspended for one year.
Morin pleaded no contest in 2025 to charges of the illegal submission of false documents related to a property and the criminal use of personal identification information. He received four years of probation, while the adjudication of guilt was withheld.
The case began in Broward. According to a report from Local 10 based on police documents, authorities charged Morin with assisting a woman in removing her son’s interest in a property they both owned through a fraudulent deed.
The police report indicates that a seal with the man's signature was allegedly used without authorization to complete the document. Morin later admitted to having participated in certain material acts related to the document's creation, though he maintained that he was unaware that the document was false or that fraud was being committed.
Expelled for providing false information to become a judge
The most severe sanction on the list was imposed on Belinda Noah, a lawyer from Tampa, who was expelled from the profession.
The Supreme Court determined that Noah made intentional false statements when responding to eight questions on an application submitted to the Judicial Nominations Commission of the Florida Supreme Court, as well as issued misleading statements to the public and in campaign financial reports.
The disciplinary case also notes concerns related to Noah's previous attempts to obtain judicial positions. The expulsion decision was issued on September 11 and will take effect 30 days after that order.
The Hollywood police lieutenant also appears
Among the 20 sanctioned professionals is Osvaldo Pérez, a lieutenant in the Hollywood Police Department who also works as a lawyer.
The case dates back to November 2, 2025, when, according to an arrest warrant from the Miramar Police cited by Miami Herald, Pérez allegedly grabbed a woman over 65 years old and pushed her against a parked vehicle.
According to the police report, the woman fell to the ground and suffered a fracture in her shoulder. The incident occurred in a residential area of Miramar, in Broward County.
Pérez, a veteran with 25 years of service in the Hollywood Police Department, surrendered to authorities the following day and was released after posting a $75,000 bail.
After the arrest, the chief of the Hollywood Police, Jeff Devlin, reported that the department had placed the lieutenant on administrative leave and was cooperating with the Miramar Police, which is in charge of the investigation.
The Florida Bar reminded that disciplinary orders are not considered final until the period for requesting reconsideration expires or, if a petition is submitted, until it is resolved. Pending criminal charges also do not constitute statements of guilt, and defendants maintain the presumption of innocence.
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