Lawyer pulls out as counsel in Girard case

WARREN -- A judge has granted an attorney's request to withdraw as legal counsel for the former principal of Girard Intermediate School.
Judge W. Wyatt McKay granted Atty. Sebastian Rucci's request Friday to withdraw from representing Robert Foley.
Rucci and Atty. Don Hanni filed a lawsuit on behalf of Robert Foley against the Girard Board of Education. Foley wants the judge to prohibit the board from transferring him to the junior high school.
Because Rucci withdrew as legal counsel, the judge did not have a hearing Friday on a motion filed by board attorneys asking the judge to remove Rucci.
Purpose of hearing: Atty. Louis Damiani, who represents the board, asked the judge to revoke the status granted to Rucci allowing him to represent a client in another state. Damiani notes in his motion that Rucci is not licensed to practice state law in Ohio. Rucci is licensed to practice law in California and in federal court in Ohio.
Rucci could not be reached to comment.
Foley said his case is still pending and he will continue to be represented by Hanni. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Oct. 12.