Former State Senator Mark Panepinto will not be allowed to practice law for the next year.

Appellate judges found the lawyer guilty of professional misconduct.

In 2018, Panepinto pleaded guilty in federal court to making unwanted verbal and physical sexual advances toward a staff member and then offering her money or future employment if she refused to cooperate with JCOPE's investigation into the allegations.

He was also fined by the Joint Commission on Public Ethics and the Legislative Ethics Commission.

Panepinto served in the State Senate's 60th District seat from 2015 through 2016.

Panepinto did not immediately return a request for comment.