AUSA Admonished For Misleading Statement To Tribunal

The District of Columbia Office of Bar Counsel has informally admonished an Assistant United States Attorney

We find that you violated Rules 8.4(c) which prohibits engaging in conduct involving “dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.” This violation occurred when you responded, as a representative of the United States, to a question from a Superior Court judge with a misleading answer. When the court asked if the family of a homicide victim had asked to be heard at the plea hearing, you responded by stating that they had not asked to be heard at the plea. When you made this response, you were aware that the family had not asked to be heard at the plea hearing because they were not aware of it and you were aware that it was your responsibility to notify them of the hearing, either directly or through the victim’s advocate from your office.

An attorney may reject an informal admonition, in which case Bar Counsel files charges that proceed in the normal course.

My understanding is that these admonitions are not published until after the time to reject the sanction has expired.

The case is In re Charles Cobb. (Mike Frisch)