A Fake Scalia with No Law License Is Ordered to Pay $261K and Close His Bankruptcy Practice
A federal bankruptcy judge has ordered a high school graduate who represented at least 50 bankruptcy clients to close his practice and pay $261,000 in fines and damages.
Baltimore resident Michael Mancini often used the fake name “A. Michael Scalia” and decorated the offices of his Scalia & Seidel firm with law books, according to the decision by U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge David Rice. Mancini advertised in publications used by lawyers, including Rocket Lawyer, falsely claimed to have a Maryland law license on at least one website, and told at least one client he was an attorney, according to the opinion. The National Law Journal has a story.
The NLJ was unable to reach Mancini for comment. He did not respond to the action by the U.S. Trustee, leading to a default judgment by Rice.
