In our email this morning:
On Monday, February 26th, Massachusetts ethics attorney J. Whitfield Larrabee
filed a complaint for misconduct against White House Chief of Staff Reince
Priebus with the Wisconsin Office of Lawyer Regulation.
The complaint states
that it is based on “Priebus’ corrupt attempt to influence investigations
by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) into
criminal activity involving associates of Donald J. Trump (“Trump”) and
Russian government officials.”
The complaint alleges that Priebus
improperly spoke with FBI Director James Comey and FBI Deputy Director Andrew
McCabe about media reports concerning contacts between the Trump campaign and
Russian intelligence officials while the matter was being investigated by the
FBI. The complaint alleges that: “[t]here is probable cause to establish
that the purpose of Priebus’ contact with the FBI was to interfere in the
investigation, to cover-up illegal conduct, and to influence, obstruct or
impede the due administration of justice.”
A White House official
confirmed to the Washington Post that Priebus asked a top FBI official to
dispute media reports that President Donald Trump’s campaign advisers were
frequently in touch with Russian intelligence agents during the election.
The complaint requests an investigation to determine whether Priebus violated
Wisconsin’s Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys by committing the
federal crime of obstruction of justice and other “conduct involving
dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.” Larrabee requested the
Office of Lawyer Regulation to request the Wisconsin Supreme Court to revoke
Priebus’ license to practice law.