Opinion ID: 2293414
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Bar Counsel's Investigation

Text: Bar Counsel learned of respondent's prosecutorial misconduct from newspaper coverage about post-conviction litigation in the Newton Street Crew case, obtained a partially redacted version of the OPR Report and subsequently instituted its own investigation. Following the investigation, Bar Counsel and respondent negotiated a Stipulation of Facts and Charges (Stipulation). In the June 2006 Stipulation, respondent admitted to multiple violations of six Rules of Professional Conduct in the Newton Street Crew, Card/Moore and Jones cases: (1) Rule 3.3(a) (false statement of material fact or law to a tribunal); (2) Rule 3.4(c) (disobeying an obligation under the rules of a tribunal); (3) Rule 3.8(e) (failing to timely disclose evidence that tended to negate the guilt of the accused); (4) Rule 8.4(a) (violating or assisting in violating the Rules of Professional Conduct); (5) Rule 8.4(c) (engaging in conduct involving dishonesty or misrepresentation); and (6) Rule 8.4(d) (engaging in conduct that seriously interfered with the administration of justice). Bar Counsel subsequently filed a Petition Instituting Formal Disciplinary Proceedings and an accompanying Specification of Charges, which, in addition to violation of the six rules identified in respondent's Stipulation, accused respondent of two additional violations in the Card/Moore, Newton Street Crew, and Jones cases: Rule 8.4(b) (committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness to practice law) and Rule 3.4(b) (offering a prohibited inducement to a witness). In its petition, Bar Counsel recommended that Howes be suspended for two years with a fitness requirement, stating that it [n]ormally . . . would recommend disbarment for misconduct as serious and extensive as that of [r]espondent, but due to mitigating factors [respondent's stipulations and cooperation with Bar Counsel, and the delay between the charged misconduct and the institution of disciplinary proceedings]. . . a substantial suspension of at least two years with a fitness requirement, would be adequate to protect the courts, the public, and the integrity and standing of the Bar.