GW Law Prof Promises Airing of Undisclosed 'Critical Facts' in Judge's Impeachment Trial
A George Washington University law professor will be leading the defense for U.S. District Judge G. Thomas Porteous Jr. when the first phase of his impeachment trial begins next week before a special U.S. Senate Committee.
Lead defense lawyer Jonathan Turley told the National Law Journal in an e-mail that the trial will “include critical facts that were never disclosed to the members of the House before the impeachment.”
Porteous, a New Orleans judge, is accused of corruption on the federal and state bench, including allegations that he participated in a kickback scheme with a law firm, the story says. The trial will be the first for a member of the federal judiciary since 1989.
Porteous is also represented by Bryan Cave partner Daniel Schwartz and associates P.J. Meitl and Daniel O’Connor. They contend Porteous doesn’t deserve removal for his conduct, and the charges are exaggerated or taken out of context.
The defense lawyers also question the propriety of trying Porteous for conduct that occurred before he became a federal judge, and claim the FBI was aware of the allegations before Porteous was confirmed to the U.S. district court.
Additional coverage:
New Orleans Times-Picayune: “Judge Thomas Porteous’ defense motions rejected; trial begins Monday”
