Complaints Concerning the Hutchinson-Jacobi Correspondence in the House of Representatives’ Investigations into the Comeback of Mr. Trump
The committee gave several other examples of what they thought was efforts to obstruct their work. They noted efforts by Trump to contact some witnesses, as well as multiple Secret Service agents hiring private lawyers rather than agency-provided lawyers who would represent them for free. A Secret Service driver’s lawyer admitted to writing notes to the driver as they testified, about what was being said, according to the committee.
In a statement to CNN, Passantino said he didn’t advise Hutchinson to mislead the committee. “I represented Ms. Hutchinson honorably, ethically, and fully consistent with her sole interests as she communicated them to me. I believed Ms. Hutchinson was being truthful and cooperative with the Committee throughout the several interview sessions in which I represented her.”
The latest conflict relates to the committee using Ms. Hutchinson’s testimony about Mr. Trump.
Two sources familiar with the situation tell CNN that Hutchinson has discussed the episode with the Justice Department. CNN has previously reported that Hutchinson was cooperating with the Justice Department’s January 6 investigation, after she became a crucial public witness in the House probe.
Clients change lawyers as their interests or strategies change. Third party, including a political committee, will often cover fees at the client’s request. External communications made on Ms. Hutchinson’s behalf while I was her counsel were made with her express authorization. Unfortunately, the committee never reached out to me to get the facts.”
By Tuesday, Passantino’s professional biography had been removed from the website of a midwestern-based law firm where he was a partner – and he acknowledged in his statement he was on a leave of absence from the firm “given the distraction of this matter.” Hutchinson wasn’t a client, and that firm, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, was not involved in the situation.
The Democrat-Independent Trade Trial Committee: Why witnesses shouldn’t be seen as obstructions of the Mueller investigation? A lawyer has no monopoly, but can be sued
Then on Monday, in the executive summary of the final report, the committee revisited the issue in its handoff of the investigation to the Justice Department.
The lawyer told the witness she didn’t know what she knew about the approach. They don’t know that you can recall some of these things. It is acceptable to say, “I don’t recall.”
The lawyer told the client that there was an issue that would cast a bad light on President Trump. We don’t want to go there. The report said that they didn’t want to talk about it.
Lofgren said that they were concerned that the witnesses might have been trying to affect her testimony to prevent the committee from finding the truth.
Lawyers must follow extensive ethics guidelines as part of their profession, including avoiding conflicts of interest that could compromise their representation of a client. Legal ethics experts say a lawyer can be seen as obstruction of an investigation if they sway their client’s testimony in a way that isn’t entirely honest.
This year, Trump’s Save America PAC has made payments to several law firms representing witnesses in the January 6 and Mar-a-Lago investigation. An issue only arises if the lawyer doesn’t follow the client’s wishes, legal experts and professional rules say.
Reply to “Comment on ‘Discriminating between the U.S. Department of Justice and the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office'”
It added: “The committee is aware that both the U.S. Department of Justice and the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office have already obtained information relevant to these matters, including from the committee directly. We urge the Department of Justice to examine the facts to discern whether prosecution is warranted.”