Former Assistant Federal Public Defender Charged

Ohio Disciplinary Counsel has filed a complaint alleging misconduct on the part of an attorney who had served as an assistant federal public defender from 2005 to September 2020.

The allegations contend that Respondent had resigned after the Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of Ohio Stephen Newman – a retired Marine Colonel – received an anonymous email with information that he had been arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Thereafter, the Chief Judge of the District alerted Newman of Respondent’s social media posts about him that were concerning but not directly threatening.

The posts were monitored by the U.S. Marshalls’ external threats staff for approximately six months.

No further posts of concern were identified.

Then, Respondent began to text Newman in communications that compared him to Vladimir Putin, referenced a Cleveland Browns quarterback and falsely suggested that Newman had disclosed his confidential medical information.

Newman then blocked Respondent’s texts.

Respondent then allegedly began to post about Newman on Twitter

In his posts, Respondent referred to himself as a eagle and Newman as a snake. Respondent stated in his post that the “snake must be eliminated.”

He also posted that Newman was an alcoholic and referenced a “live stream of his internet death.”

After further posts that caused him concern for his safety, Newman filed a report with the Shaker Heights police.

Newman obtained an ex parte civil protection order for himself and his family.

At the full hearing

Newman testified that the constant social media posts, texts, and emails caused him significant emotional stress and that his children were stressed, worried and angry. He also testified that he was not sleeping and posted a picture of respondent on his refrigerator so his children could identify him. Newman testified that he drove tactically and was hypervigilant, requesting a security escort to his vehicle when he left work.

The court granted the protection order.

Respondent pled no contest to disorderly conduct with persistence, a fourth degree misdemeanor.

Further social media post led to probation violation charges and an extension of the probation period.

There are unrelated charges involving Respondent’s hiring of an escort (T.H.) through an app called Tryst. 

Respondent pled guilty to misdemeanor charges of attempted vandalism, criminal damaging, aggravated menacing. telecommunications harassment, menacing by stalking and violation of a protection order. (Mike Frisch)