Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche speaks during a press conference at the Justice Department in Washington, D.C., on April 7, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faces a malpractice lawsuit filed by twins Adam and Daniel Kaplan, alleging he forged their signatures on an engagement letter and dramatically over-billed them.
The Kaplans hired Blanche at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft in 2022 for financial fraud defense, expecting discounted rates. Instead, the firm's first bill totaled $677,925, and by November 2022 they had paid $1.65 million with additional bills pending.
Blanche allegedly billed approximately 2,475 hours at roughly $1,000 per hour —far exceeding promised discounts— before suspending work over unpaid bills.
A handwriting expert backed up the signature forgery allegations.
The Kaplans also claim Blanche withheld evidence aiding their defense.
Blanche and Cadwalader denied all allegations and countersued for $1.2 million in unpaid bills.
Both twins were subsequently indicted on money laundering and wire fraud charges, with one convicted and imprisoned.
