The Ohio Supreme Court permanently disbarred a Columbus attorney on Wednesday who was convicted more than a decade ago of rape and other sex crimes.
Javier Armengau had objected to the move to disbar him, arguing that he is innocent of the charges and is capable of practicing law.
But in a unanimous decision, the court said an appellate court affirmed Armengau's convictions, which were conclusive evidence that he committed the crimes.
Armengau was convicted of rape, kidnapping, gross sexual imposition and sexual battery. The victims were three women who were his clients. He was arrested in 2013.
The court imposed an interim suspension when Armengau was convicted in 2014. He was sentenced to 13 years, but released in 2023 after serving 9 1/2 years.
Armengau argued that disbarment is an inappropriate sanction. He said other attorneys who committed similar misconduct received indefinite suspensions.
Armengau noted the Board of Professional Conduct made recommendations on two cases in which attorneys were disbarred for sex crimes.