Opinion ID: 556527
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Governmental Invasion of the Attorney-Client Privilege

Text: 81 Appellants argue that the Government, by convincing the wife of Doe One to assist in the investigation, has consciously attempted surreptitiously to invade the marital and attorney-client privileges. Appellants recognize that these privileges are Doe One's to assert and that that party is not before us. Nevertheless, appellants argue that these actions somehow taint the entire investigation and that both their motions should, therefore, be granted. 82 Other courts have held that an intentional and surreptitious invasion of the attorney-client privilege by the Government may so taint an investigation that an indictment must be dismissed. See, e.g., United States v. Valencia, 541 F.2d 618 (6th Cir.1976). We are persuaded, however, that we can not determine that question on this appeal. There is nothing in the record that indicates that issuance of the subpoenas resulted from an invasion of the attorney-client privilege. Similarly, the affidavit in support of the search warrants contains a sufficient basis for the finding of probable cause that evidence would be found in Doe Two files at the offices of Doe Four without reliance upon any information obtained by Doe One's wife from Doe Two. 83 We conclude that the subpoenas are valid exercises of the grand jury's investigatory power, that the search warrants are sufficiently specific and justified by probable cause, and that none of the documents we have reviewed are subject to any evidentiary privileges. We have also concluded that there is no reason to consider the applicability of the crime/fraud exception or whether dismissal of this action is warranted because of governmental misconduct at this stage of the proceedings. 84 The judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED.