DOJ Report Faults Two Prosecutors for 'Reckless Professional Misconduct' in Ted Stevens Case
The U.S. Justice Department will suspend two prosecutors without pay based on its finding of “reckless professional misconduct” in the failed prosecution of U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens.
The DOJ told Congress on Thursday it would suspend Joseph Bottini for 40 days and James Goeke for 15 days, report the New York Times, the Associated Press and The BLT: The Blog of Legal Times.
The department’s Office of Professional Responsibility said neither prosecutor committed intentional misconduct when they failed to turn over exculpatory information. The finding conflicts with a report by a court-appointed special prosecutor, who concluded the misconduct was intentional. Both prosecutors have denied intentional wrongdoing.
Prosecutors had accused Stevens of concealing gifts on financial disclosure forms. He died in a 2010 plane crash.
