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An Indianapolis attorney has been suspended from the practice of law for at least 60 days following his convictions for misdemeanor invasion of privacy.
Attorney Guerino John Cento’s suspension is for 120 days, with 60 days served and the remainder stayed subject to the completion of at least one year of probation with monitoring by the Indiana Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program.
According to the Friday order in In the Matter of: Guerino John Cento, 22S-DI-27, Cento pleaded guilty to two counts of invasion of privacy as class A misdemeanors after violating a protection order filed by his ex-girlfriend.
The Supreme Court order lists two instances of Cento contacting his ex-girlfriend: once when he sent her an electronic invitation for a dance lesson, then a second time when he sent an email apologizing for contacting her. The email also said Cento missed her, asked her to not report the contact, and said he wouldn’t harass or contact her again.
According to MyCase, Cento was charged in August 2019 with Level 5 felony stalking violating a protective order, Level 6 felony stalking, class A misdemeanor distribution of an intimate image and three counts of class A misdemeanor invasion of privacy.
He initially pleaded guilty in 2021 to the one count of felony stalking and one count of misdemeanor invasion of privacy. However, his convictions were later vacated, and he was subsequently convicted in 2022 of two counts of misdemeanor invasion of privacy.
He received a suspended 365-day sentence, plus probation.
The parties agreed that Cento violated Indiana Rule of Professional Conduct 8.4(b), which prohibits committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness or fitness. His suspension is effective immediately.
During his year of probation, Cento is to continue receiving counseling as recommended by JLAP and is to follow any recommendations made by JLAP.
Cento has his own firm, Cento Law, where he works as a credit reporting attorney.
According to the Indiana Roll of Attorneys, he was admitted to the Indiana bar in 1999 and has no prior disciplinary history dating back to July 1, 2011.
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