Court reinstates license
The former aide is in the housing rehab business.
COLUMBUS — The Ohio Supreme Court has reinstated Atty. R. Allen Sinclair, a former aide to U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr., to the practice of law after an indefinite suspension.
The high court had unanimously suspended Sinclair indefinitely from legal practice Dec. 29, 2004, saying he brought dishonor to the legal profession by kicking back $2,500 of his $3,150 net monthly salary to the former 17th District congressman.
The high court said the suspension would last for a minimum of two years, and it announced the reinstatement Friday.
Traficant is in federal prison after being convicted in 2002 of bribery and racketeering-related charges.
Sinclair, who testified against Traficant in that case, worked for Traficant from October 1998 until early 2000.
In his petition for reinstatement to legal practice, Sinclair said he has formed two businesses, Newport Investments LLC, which buys distressed homes below fair market value, and Newport Development Inc., which rehabilitates the homes and sells them at a profit.
The businesses have purchased, rehabilitated and sold more than 40 Youngstown-area homes, the petition said.
Sinclair also said he was invited to sit on the Midlothian Free Health Clinic Board, which he said was the first free health clinic to be established in Youngstown.
Sinclair, whose office is on Overhill Road in Boardman, said he has complied with the Ohio Supreme Court’s continuing legal education requirements.