Legal Ethics
Miami Lawyer Withdraws from Cruise Cases, But Denies Paying for Info
A Miami plaintiffs lawyer has withdrawn from 77 injury cases against a cruise line following allegations that two investigators for his law firm paid for inside information.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines claims investigators for the Wingate Law Firm paid a cruise employee for confidential information that included the amount of money it was willing to pay for settlements. Name partner Jay Wingate denies the allegations, but has decided to withdraw from the cases, his lawyer disclosed in court yesterday, the Daily Business Review reports.
A partner in the Wingate Law Firm, Peter Sotolongo, told the publication he is forming a new law firm and hopes to take over many of the cases.
