A city councilman challenging a long-sitting GOP state senator – in one of the races Democrats have tapped as a priority – let his registration as a lawyer lapse, The Post has learned.
Joseph Addabbo, who’s taking on state Sen. Serphin Maltese in the 15th Senate District in Queens, didn’t renew his state registration when it expired in May 2007.
Addabbo said he has not practiced law since elected to the council in 2001, although the firm of Addabbo and Greenberg listed him as a partner on its Web site until last night.
The reregistration costs $350 every two years, and all lawyers must file the paperwork with the Office of Court Administration, even if they’re not actively practicing, but plan to do so in the future.
The OCA gives lawyers a grace period of several months, and also sends out a few reminder notes, but Addabbo is well past that period.
Lawyers face disciplinary action, including suspension of their licenses for not reregistering.
Officials with the Appellate Division Second Department, which covers Queens, said they usually try to track down lawyers for payment before any disciplinary action is taken.
Addabbo, who will be term-limited out of the council at the end of 2009, is running in one of the most closely watched Senate races around the state, as the GOP clings to a one-vote majority.
The Web site for the law practice Addabbo worked at with his brother listed the councilman as one of its partners until last night, and featured his picture with those of the firm’s other partners on the site’s home page.
Addabbo told The Post the lapsed registration was an oversight – and his name on the Web site was an administrative mistake.
“One issue when I was campaigning back in 2001 [was] I said I’d be a full-time council member,” he said, adding that when he won, “I told my brother I would retire from the firm.
“As far as the license, which is a mere check, I have not received, to my knowledge, a notification for renewal,” Addabbo said.
“I go to sleep at night knowing I do an honest day’s work, so if it’s writing a check that’s required, whether or not I am practicing, I will.”
Asked if he was concerned the registration could become an issue in his campaign, he said, “Listen, a real issue to me is lowering property taxes, and increasing public safety. I don’t see this as an issue at all.”