Missouri's Supreme Court last week suspended James "Doug" Barding's law license, effective Nov. 3.
Barding, 62, pleaded guilty Aug. 4 to federal charges in a marriage conspiracy case - a Class D felony in federal law.
The U.S. Attorney's office in Kansas City said Tuesday his sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 25, 2016, in the U.S. District Court - along with two others involved in the case.
According to Tammy Dickinson, the U.S. attorney for western Missouri, Barding made the guilty plea to U.S. Magistrate Judge Matt J. Whitworth, and he could be sentenced to up to five years in federal prison without parole and fined up to $250,000.
However, a 14-page plea agreement released in August includes the government's pledge "to recommend that the defendant be sentenced at the low end of the applicable (federal sentencing) guidelines range."
Barding was indicted in May 2013 for enlisting a U.S. citizen to marry a Ukrainian national - who also was Barding's mistress - so she could remain in the U.S. and seek citizenship.
The woman, Darya Chernova, also has pleaded guilty to her role in the conspiracy and also is to be sentenced Jan. 25. She faces possible deportation from the United States.
The fourth person who has pleaded guilty to being involved in the marriage conspiracy - Oleksandr Nikolayevich Druzenko, also from the Ukraine - is to be sentenced Nov. 18.
The Missouri Supreme Court's order last week noted the state's chief disciplinary counsel asked for the interim suspension after Barding entered his guilty plea.
The court's order, signed by Chief Justice Patricia Breckenridge, said the suspension is to continue "pending the final disposition of any disciplinary proceeding."
Barding also was ordered to advise the Supreme Court "when disposition of any appeal shall become final," and he is required to comply with the court's rule establishing procedures "Following a Disbarment or Suspension Order."
Among those provisions are requirements to:
• Accept no new retainer or act as lawyer for another in any new case.
• Withdraw from representation in pending matters, minimizing any adverse effects on clients' interests.
• Deliver his license to practice law to the Supreme Court clerk by mid-November.
• Notify all clients and opposing counsel - in writing - that he has been suspended.
• Notify all clients to make arrangements for hiring another lawyer.
• Refund any part of any fees that were paid in advance and have not been earned.
• Keep and maintain a record of the steps taken to accomplish the rule's requirements.