2019 INVESTIGATIVE SUMMARY 15

INVESTIGATION OF ALLEGED FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ACTIVE BAR MEMBERSHIP; UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE OF LAW; FAILURE TO KEEP CLIENT INFORMED; LACK OF CANDOR TO OPR

OPR initiated an investigation after receiving a report that a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney’s bar membership had been suspended because of her failure to timely pay bar dues and that she was not authorized to practice law during a three-month period.  Throughout the period of suspension, the attorney litigated cases in multiple district courts and failed to disclose the suspension for approximately 18 months after learning of it.  After the Department learned of the suspension, the attorney’s SAUSA appointments were terminated, appropriate disclosures were made to the relevant district courts, the attorney’s employing agency initiated disciplinary proceedings resulting in the attorney’s removal from the federal service, and the attorney’s conduct was referred to the appropriate state bar authorities for further investigation.  For those reasons, OPR, in consultation with the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, closed its investigation of the attorney’s alleged misconduct.