The French Polynesian senator who has been disbarred as a lawyer for two years says he will appeal the decision.
Richard Tuheiava, one of the territory's two members in the French Senate, was struck off after he was found to have taken money from clients without doing any work.
Mr Tuheiava has denounced the timing of the announcement saying the matter appeared to become known at a time of significant political developments - a reference to the no confidence motion lodged to oust the Oscar Temaru-led government.
Mr Tuheiava is a member of the pro-independence Union For Democracy and became a senator for the French Socialists last year.
