The 43-year-old Arriola has been disbarred in connection with his felony conviction in a wire fraud case.
He is awaiting the designation of a federal correctional facility where he will serve his 58-month jail term.
In his written order on Sept. 10, Superior Court Associate Judge David A. Wiseman told Arriola to pay Rodora Marzan the $1,000 that she gave him as retainer fee, together with pre-judgment interest at the rate of 9 percent from the date Marzan gave the money to Arriola.
Wiseman said Arriola violated the Model Rule of Professional Conduct because he “was not diligent in the representation of…Marzan, in that more than a year passed and [Arriola] never filed the bankruptcy petition that he agreed to file.”
In addition, Wiseman said Arriola “failed to keep Marzan reasonably informed of the status of the representation in that he failed to inform Marzan of his suspension and he never responded to her inquiry” through another lawyer.
Wiseman directed Arriola to prepare and send a notice to any and all of his clients regarding his disbarment.
Arriola will provide such notice and list of recipients to the court, or proof that he has already sent such notices in connection with his disbarment.
Wiseman ordered Arriola to pay reasonable attorney’s fees and any cost for the prosecution of Marzan’s complaint.
Arriola did not appear in court during the Aug. 11, 2010 hearing on the matter, but filed a declaration of consent to judgment and waiver of appearance.
