Ex-state legislator White disbarred over misconduct

A former state representative from Washington County has been disbarred after voluntarily resigning his law license.

Cecil lawyer Jesse White, 39, an embattled state representative from 2007 through 2015, was officially disbarred Monday by the disciplinary board of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Earlier this month, Mr. White submitted his resignation from practicing law, saying accusations leveled against him in March that he misappropriated almost $100,000 in client funds were “materially” true.

In his resignation dated June 6, Mr. White said he knew he could not successfully defend himself against charges of professional misconduct.

Mr. White had been temporarily suspended March 15 by the disciplinary board, pending the outcome of an investigation of charges that he misappropriated $96,446 entrusted to him by five clients.

At the time, Mr. White said he might voluntarily resign eventually, but wasn’t prepared to do so in March, on the advice of his therapist. He said he returned the misappropriated funds to the clients and sought treatment for a “pathological gambling addiction.”

In a blog on his website http://www.jessejwhite. Mr. White said he hopes to move his wife, Eileen, and two sons from the area.

“I have decided to step away from the practice of law for the foreseeable future,” Mr. White wrote. “My law practice was the one thing finally keeping me in this community; with that connection broken, I am finally free to explore new options and new possibilities.”

Mr. White, a Democrat, lost re-election in 2014 to Republican Jason Ortitay after revelations that Mr. White used fictitious internet personalitiesto attack his political enemies and the natural gas drilling industry.

Mr. White was later sued by his mother, Sharlene Watazychyn of Waynesburg, for impersonating her to obtain a credit card and racking up nearly $28,000 in debt.

According to state law, Mr. White can apply for reinstatement of his law license after five years.