LAWRENCE COUNTY Disbarred lawyer faces two charges

The man represented a county woman in cases before two judges.
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A former Pittsburgh lawyer is in trouble in Lawrence County.
Robert C. Cheek Jr., 55, of Chatham Drive, Pittsburgh, is accused of practicing law without a license.
Matthew T. Mangino, Lawrence County district attorney, said a warrant has been issued for Cheek's arrest on charges of unauthorized practice of law and theft by deception.
His license to practice law was suspended by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for a five-year period that ended June 25 of this year and then he was disbarred by the court, Mangino said.
A clerk with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court confirmed that Cheek was disbarred with his consent on July 17 of this year. The record doesn't show the reason for his disbarment, the clerk said, adding that it is not public information.
Represented woman
Mangino said that between April 16, 2001, and March 31, 2002, Cheek represented a Lawrence County woman in a criminal matter before District Justice Melissa Amodie and represented the same woman in a civil matter before Common Pleas Judge Ralph D. Pratt in Lawrence County.
Cheek is alleged to have charged the woman $2,550 for his services, knowing that his license had been suspended, Mangino said, noting that, during that same time period, Cheek maintained a law office in Castle Shannon, Pa.
Authorities had expected Cheek to turn himself in Tuesday for arraignment but he didn't do so. He could face up to eight years in prison and a fine of $17,500 if convicted on both counts.