Tag: Joe Tacopina
Posted on Fri Jan 25, 2008 at 12:29:15 PM EST
Tags: Bernie Kerik, Rudy Giuliani, Joe Tacopina, Ken Breen (all tags)
For the second time, a lawyer for Bernie Kerik has been disqualified from representing him.
During the federal investigation leading to his Indictment, the Government disqualified long-time Kerik lawyer (and TalkLeft pal) Joe Tacopina. (Background from the Washington Post here.
Today, on the Government's motion, the Court granted a request to disqualify Kerik's chief counsel Ken Breen.
Prosecutors had asked for the ruling in the criminal case against Kerik, arguing that defense lawyer Kenneth Breen was at meetings when Kerik gave his lawyers false information.
The potential conflict is "so severe that no remedial measure will cure it," U.S. District Judge Stephen Robinson said in his ruling from White Plains.
The Judge said the removal was necessary to preserve "both the defendant's right to effective assistance of counsel and the court's need to preserve the integrity of the process."
A new lawyer will require lots of time to get up to speed on the case, putting off a trial date -- possibly until after the November elections. In the unlikely event Rudy is the nominee, that would be a big boost for him.
Here are the Government's request to disqualify Breen, Breen's response and declaration, and another Government response.
(4 comments) Permalink :: Comments
Posted on Fri Feb 16, 2007 at 11:24:37 AM EST
Tags: Joe Tacopina (all tags)
It's hard to buy publicity like this.
DEFENSE lawyer Joe Tacopina will be featured in a six-page profile in GQ under the headline, "1 800 Save My Ass." The story by Lisa DePaulo begins: "Suspected of murdering that blond girl in Aruba? Having some problems with your appointment as homeland-security chief? Made the mistake of having sex with Christie Brinkley's husband? Call Joe Tacopina, the best-dressed, smoothest-talking, hardest-working criminal-defense attorney going, and for a mere $750 an hour, everything will be okay."
Maybe Libby should have dialed that number.
(8 comments) Permalink :: Comments
