Latest news with #criminaldefense
CBC
4 days ago
- General
- CBC
Prosecutor asks to have law firm removed from double-murder case
A New Brunswick Crown prosecutor has asked that a criminal defence firm be recused from representing a man co-accused of murdering two people whose bodies were found in Chipman, N.B., last fall. Crown prosecutor Robert Johnston told a judge Monday that Nathan Gorham and others in his firm are in a conflict of interest in representing Corey Agnew, who was charged in January with two counts of first-degree murder. Johnston did not say what the exact source of the alleged conflict is when addressing provincial court Judge Natalie LeBlanc, but added that the recusal order should also apply to all other lawyers working for Gorham Vandebeek LLP. "[In] my discussions with Mr. Gorham on Friday ... he was in complete agreement that he is in a conflict of interest, that he will not be continuing," said Johnston. "But the focus of your decisions should be on whether or not other members of his firm may continue." The bodies of Robert Waugh, 47, and Victoria King, 23, were found on Nov. 25 inside a burning vehicle in Chipman, about 60 kilometres northeast of Fredericton. On Jan. 20, RCMP announced Mark Elley had been charged with first-degree murder, and two days later, Agnew was charged. Law firm should be allowed to stay on, says lawyer Lawyers for both sides were supposed to make arguments on the issue Monday, but the matter was adjourned because of Gorham's inability to attend the proceeding. In his place, Alexandra Youssef, an associate at his firm, appeared in court and said issues being dealt with in other cases prevented her firm from adequately preparing for Monday's appearance. However, she offered a brief summary of her argument that the firm should be allowed to continue representing Agnew. "Our position is that if Mr. Waugh's character was required to be impugned in any way, then our office would step off the file," Youssef said. "But if this is a defence, if this is a case where the defence does not require any impugning of Mr. Waugh's character then our position is that it is appropriate for our firm to represent Mr. Agnew." LeBlanc tasked Youssef with having her firm submit written arguments by June 13, giving the Crown a chance to reply in writing by June 16.
CBS News
27-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Longtime private investigators say Massachusetts State Police is denying license renewals
Longtime private investigators say the Massachusetts State Police is denying their license renewal applications. The PIs say the department is disqualifying police officers and preventing them from working, leaving criminal cases in jeopardy and putting some private eyes out of business. Television shows like Magnum PI glamorize the life of private investigators. In reality, the job is often not as exciting, but it is rewarding. Joe DeSimone is a retired Cambridge sergeant detective and has been a licensed private investigator for nearly a decade. "Most of my business is criminal defense work," DeSimone said, "and most of those clients are indigent." DeSimone keeps up his Peace Officer Standards and Training or POST certification so he can do traffic details in Cambridge. Recently he applied to renew his PI license and thought it would be easy because he says, "I was probably one of a handful of guys in the state that had the license prior to retirement." POST certification Months ago, the Massachusetts State Police, the agency that certifies private investigators, added language to the requirements on its website. It says, "The applicant shall not be currently certified by the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission." A decision that would effectively disqualify DeSimone and potentially hundreds of other police officers who work as private investigators. "POST certification was developed to allow the public to keep an eye on police officers who were accused of things like excessive force etc.," said Domenic Paolino, DeSimone's attorney. "POST has nothing to do with being a private investigator." Disqualified for police details But DeSimone's POST certification was not the reason the State Police denied his application, in a letter it listed another disqualifier. That said he was denied because he does Cambridge police details. Joe says that decision effectively puts him out of business. "Nowhere is that codified anywhere, there's nothing in writing, there's been no change to the statute even for the POST certification," DeSimone said. Attorney Paolini cannot understand why this happening now. "He's been doing details for several years," Paolini said. "He was a municipal police officer, a detective sergeant, which should give him good qualifications to be a PI but they're saying the things that would make you a good PI disqualify you which is really mind boggling." MSP says PIs must be former officers The State Police told the I-Team, "Massachusetts General Law prohibits POST-certified individuals who exercise police powers from becoming certified private investigators (PI) – though they can function as an employee of another person who maintains a PI license." Here is the language of the statute, which makes clear that PIs must be a former officer or member of a United States Investigative Service: M.G.L. c. 147 s. 24" Attorney Paolini sees it differently. "What they have done is added their own qualifications without approval from the legislature or the legislature changing the law," Paolini said. "In our system, the legislature makes the rules, makes the laws and the courts interpret them. I don't see an interpretation by a court or by a legislator that changes these rules." DeSimone says he is qualified and plans to appeal the decision. "The state police don't get to pick and choose, shouldn't get to pick and choose who is going to be a PI who is not going to be a PI," DeSimone said. "You put me out of business you put a lot of PIs out of business. It's unfair." DeSimone's attorney says if they are not successful appealing to the state police colonel, he will head to court, where he is likely to have company. Other private investigators who also had their applications denied tell the I-Team, that's what they plan to do too.
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Big city cartel lawyer arrested for 'doing the bidding' of murderous clients in major drug trafficking bust
A criminal defense attorney with a 'methamphetamine addiction' has been arrested for allegedly working for a murderous drug trafficking gang. Justin Facey, 44, boasted about his role as the go-to attorney for the violent criminal organization that would smuggle hard drugs from Mexico to Alaska, federal prosecutors have claimed in shocking court documents. The Anchorage criminal defense attorney was indicted on charges of maintaining a drug-involved premises and possessing firearms in connection with drug trafficking. Facey, who allegedly coerced sex acts from minors and clients of his legal service, told colleagues that cartel members 'literally threw a duffle bag from a moving vehicle onto my roof to hire me last week, and claimed he 'had to retrieve it with a ladder' according to prosecutors. The case is part of a massive federal investigation that has led to more than 60 indictments. Four members of the trafficking ring were charged in the 2023 murders of two women found in Trapper Creek. Prosecutors describe the operation as a pipeline for methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin and cocaine flowing to Alaska dealers and street users. The disgraced Anchorage attorney, who prosecutors say consumed up to an ounce of methamphetamine per day to fuel his addiction, allegedly offered to help smuggle gang members out of Alaska. Facey, who allegedly coerced sex acts from minors and clients of his legal service in Anchorage (pictured), allegedly told colleagues that cartel members 'literally threw a duffle bag from a moving vehicle onto my roof to hire me last week, and claimed he 'had to retrieve it with a ladder' He also provided money laundering advice, and even requested the cartel's help in having someone shot after a personal dispute. Federal prosecutors describe Facey as having 'consciously adopted the persona of a self-described cartel attorney' while being 'fueled by a spiraling addiction to methamphetamine and compulsive sexual misconduct.' The documents revealed he 'fully committed to the bit, engaging in a crime spree threatening the safety of the community.' 'Having consciously adopted the persona of a self-described 'cartel attorney' and fueled by a spiraling addiction to methamphetamine and compulsive sexual misconduct, the defendant fully committed to the bit, engaging in a crime spree threatening the safety of the community and giving rise to serious concerns regarding his risk of flight following his apprehension,' prosecutors wrote in the memorandum obtained by Alaska Public Media. The investigation revealed that Facey was in direct communication with Heraclio Sanchez-Rodriguez, the alleged leader of the trafficking organization. 'Exhibiting characteristically poor impulse control, the defendant couldn't help but brag about his newfound status as a 'cartel lawyer' to anyone in the Anchorage legal community who might listen,' the prosecutors wrote. One woman described him as 'a drug addict, a pig, and a disgusting slob' She claimed he had coerced her into sex acts as payment for his legal representation. The woman told investigators that Facey 'maintained a drug premises, used methamphetamine, and maintained a young woman as a housekeeper who he paid with controlled substances for her services.' '(The woman) described that the defendant maintained a drug premises, used methamphetamine, and maintained a young woman as a 'housekeeper' who he paid with controlled substances for her services,' prosecutors wrote in the memorandum. She described his methamphetamine addiction as 'extreme' and said he consumed up to 'an ounce per day.' The Alaska Bar Association suspended Facey from practicing law after numerous complaints in February. He ended up turning to dealing drugs himself, 'primarily fentanyl to drug-dependent and vulnerable women,' according to prosecutors. 'In one particularly heartbreaking exchange in December 2024, the defendant urged a pregnant woman looking for work as a housecleaner to exchange sex for $80 and a small amount of methamphetamine, only to ultimately short-change the woman by $20,' prosecutors wrote in the memorandum.
CBC
17-05-2025
- CBC
'Unusual' jury discharge in world junior hockey sex assault trial explained
Justice Maria Carroccia discharged the jury for the second time at the trial of the five former Team Canada world junior players. We break down the stunning developments and get reaction from Sarah Leamon, a criminal defence attorney who has been watching the trial.
Fox News
09-05-2025
- Fox News
Diddy's powerhouse lawyer doesn't drink, smoke, curse: What to know about Brian Steel
Sean "Diddy" Combs added high-profile criminal defense lawyer Brian Steel to his team in the weeks prior to his sex-trafficking trial. Steel filed a notice that he was joining the music mogul's defense on April 15, just weeks before the rapper appeared for the first time in front of potential jurors on May 5. Diddy has been charged with racketeering conspiracy; sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and transportation to engage in prostitution in a federal indictment unsealed Sept. 17. Diddy has maintained his innocence. If found guilty, he faces a minimum of 15 years behind bars or a maximum sentence of life in prison. Authorities alleged Diddy ran a criminal enterprise through his businesses, including Bad Boy Entertainment, Combs Enterprises and Combs Global, among others. He used "firearms, threats of violence, coercion and verbal, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse" to fulfill his sexual desires, according to prosecutors. Here's what to know about Georgia powerhouse, Brian Steel. The Atlanta-based lawyer was added to Diddy's team on April 15. He joined Marc Agnifilo, Teny Geragos, Alexandra A.E. Shapiro, Anna Estevao, Jason Driscoll, Xavier Donaldson and Nicole Westmoreland. Steel is one of the last-minute additions to the team. Donaldson was added May 2, while Westmoreland was added May 7. Celebrity attorney Mark Geragos will assist Combs' legal team throughout the trial in an unofficial role, a source told Fox News Digital. Steel began his career as a tax attorney at Price Waterhouse after graduating from Fordham University School of Law. He has appeared in courts in many states besides Georgia, including California, Florida, Missouri, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, New Jersey, Oregon and now New York. His clients' alleged crimes have ranged from RICO, wire fraud, immigration fraud and money laundering to murder, armed robbery, drug offenses, rape and child sex offenses. The attorney defending Diddy on charges that stem from lavish parties filled with alcohol actually leads a clean lifestyle. "Brian doesn't drink, doesn't smoke and can't believe anybody would," lawyer David Botts told the New Yorker. "He won't curse, even in court, even if he's reading from a transcript. So when he's cross-examining, he'll say, 'So-and-so F-word.' The court will say, 'Mr. Steel, you can read that word.' But Brian still won't do it." "Brian only drinks water," said the attorney, who has known Steel for more than 30 years. "His lunch is tofu or salmon, maybe, and a salad. No bread. I've never seen him eat out. And he'll bring a toothbrush to court. A toothbrush! He exercises daily, before or after court. Running. Swimming. Weights. And he's got a great family, three kids, a wonderful wife, Colette, who is also his law partner. They kind of idolize each other." Steel and his wife began their law firm together in 1997. Steel likely caught Combs' eye after defending Young Thug in the YSL trial. Young Thug was indicted under Georgia's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) in 2022 as authorities claimed he used his music label YSL as cover for a violent gang. "Brian is a legend, especially after YSL," Douglas Weinstein, who represented one of Young Thug's co-defendants, told Rolling Stone. "His insights, tenacity and character will be a phenomenal addition to Mr. Combs' team. I saw it in person during the YSL trial. I wish I could be a fly on the wall with whatever happens. He's a legend in Georgia." The RICO trial ended up lasting nearly two years. While Steel was ready to defend the rapper until the end, Young Thug chose to accept a plea deal in October 2024. He was sentenced to time served and 15 years of probation. However, he has some regrets: "I shoulda listened to you," he told Steel during an interview with the New Yorker. "The worldwide tours and money that's being thrown at him now," Steel explained. "It was good before. Now it's next level. People realize what he did; in my opinion, he unmasked the truth that the criminal-justice system is broken." Following the conclusion of Young Thug's trial, Steel became somewhat of a celebrity himself. He posed for a photo shoot for Young Thug's clothing label, SP5DER, and rapper Drake titled a song after him. "Yeah, shout Brian Steel, take off the cuffs," Drake rapped in the song, which doesn't seem to be about the lawyer specifically but about freedom. "We leavin' now." The lawyer has spent 30 years defending people accused of criminal conduct. "The more challenging the case is, the more likely I'll take it," Steel told the New Yorker. "Do I like the person I'm defending? That's the main thing." When asked if he'd have chosen to represent the late Jeffrey Epstein in his sex-trafficking trial, he told the outlet, "I'd have to understand better all the facts and circumstances." "See, I don't believe allegations," he explained. "I go into it believing the person is innocent."
