Interim United States attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Lindsey Halligan, a "special prosecutor" for the Department of Justice, may face an investigation by the Virginia State Bar for violating the Rules of Professional Conduct in cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
In a complaint to the Virginia State Bar, the Campaign for Accountability asked that Halligan be investigated for violations of candor and competence, for making extrajudicial statements, and for "dishonesty, deceit, misrepresentation, or conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice."
"Ms. Halligan’s actions appear to constitute an abuse of power and serve to undermine the integrity of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and erode public confidence in the legal profession and the fair administration of justice," the complaint alleged.
In her pursuit of an indictment against Comey, the complaint said Halligan "failed in her duty to be truthful and forthright" by misleading a grand jury.
"By providing the grand jury with misrepresentations material to establishing the elements of the charged offenses, and by filing an indictment containing material misrepresentations, Ms. Halligan appears to have made false statements of material fact to both the grand jury and the district court."
She was also accused of "providing the grand jury with misrepresentations material to establishing the elements of the charged offenses, and by filing an indictment containing material misrepresentations" in the James case.
Additionally, Halligan could have violated DOJ rules during a Signal conversation with journalist Anna Bower about the James case.
"Ms. Halligan’s actions with respect to the prosecution of Mr. Comey and Ms. James, and her Signal exchange with Ms. Bower, appear to represent a serious breach of her ethical obligations," Campaign for Accountability Executive Director Michelle Kuppersmith concluded. "Her conduct undermines the integrity of the DOJ, appears to have violated multiple provisions of the Virginia and Florida Rules of Professional Conduct, and undoubtedly will erode public trust in the legal system if permitted without consequence."
It was not immediately clear what disciplinary measures Halligan could face if an investigation determines violations occurred.
