Defense lawyers press for more info as probe of FBI agent linked to dismissed cases continues
After news that the U.S. Attorney’s office in Washington, D.C., has agreed to dismiss 28 drug cases, including approximately a dozen that had already resulted in convictions, defense lawyers are pressing for more information.
An investigation is continuing concerning an FBI agent accused by the feds of tampering with evidence being held for trial, though he is not criminally charged. Meanwhile, defense lawyers want to know why some of the individuals whose cases are linked to the agent are being granted immediate dismissals, while others are not, the Washington Post (reg. req.) reports.
At a Monday hearing, U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan ordered the U.S. Attorney General’s office to provide daily updates on the progress of the investigation but said some defendants will have to await developments.
“The proper thing to do is to assess what happened, and then if we have to do something, we do so swiftly,” Sullivan said.
Attorney Robert Bonsib represents the agent being investigated. He declined to discuss specific allegations against his client but called some accusations “grossly overblown” and said his client is cooperating.
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Feds will drop charges against 28 drug defendants amid probe of FBI agent; 14 are already in prison”
Washington Post (reg. req.): “FBI agent in evidence-tampering case reportedly took heroin being held for trial”
