A Hartford Judicial District Grievance Panel has determined that probable cause exists to investigate Cicchiello & Cicchiello partner Manny Cicchiello for potential violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct related to claims he has made against a former associate he has accused of improperly luring clients away to a new firm.

In a March lawsuit and subsequent grievance complaint, Cicchiello accused Alexander Sarris of involvement in a “nefarious scheme” to lure more than 100 of Cicchiello & Cicchiello’s most profitable clients to his new employer, Dzialo, Pickett & Allen in Middletown. Cicchiello claimed Sarris violated the RPCs in the actions he undertook while in the process of departing for his new job.