Ex-Prosecutor Convertino Can't Sue for Damages Over DOJ Leak of Ethics Probe, Federal Judge Rules
In a ruling last week that could point the way toward the final chapters of a seven-year litigation saga, the chief U.S. District Court judge in Washington, D.C., granted a summary judgment motion dismissing a damages claim by a former federal prosecutor over the leak of a Department of Justice internal ethics probe.
Richard Convertino can’t pursue a privacy claim over the damage to his reputation, held Judge Royce Lamberth, because he can’t identify who, exactly, is responsible for information about the investigation being leaked to the media, reports the New York Law Journal in an article reprinted in New York Lawyer (reg. req.).
The probe concerned his role in a 2007 “Detroit sleeper cell” terrorism case that imploded amidst allegations of government misconduct. Convertino was acquitted in a related obstruction of justice prosecution.
Convertino and one of his lead lawyers, Stephen Kohn of Kohn Kohn & Colaptino, could not immediately be reached for comment by the legal publication.
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Ex-Prosecutor Acquitted at Trial Loses Bid for Attorney Fees”
ABAJournal.com: “Appeals Court: Ex-Prosecutor Can’t Be Sued Over His Work on Terror Case”
