Legal Ethics

Disbar Ex-Federal Prosecutor for Alleged Ethics Issues in Criminal Cases, DC Appeals Court Is Urged

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An unusual request to disbar a former federal prosecutor for his handling of criminal case work is before the Washington, D.C., Court of Appeals.

It is being asked to punish former assistant U.S. attorney G. Paul Howes for his conduct in high-profile murder cases in the 1990s, reports USA Today.

The case reportedly revolves around government oucher payments allegedly made by Howes to relatives of informants. The money was supposed to go to witnesses to reimburse them for their costs.

“This is the way the United States attorney’s office puts together cases,” said Howes’ lawyer, Paul Knight, who said the way his client had used the vouchers was common practice.

“Homicides are solved all the time that way,” continued Knight, calling Howes a “public servant who worked night and day for the District of Columbia.”

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