DON’T alter discovery documents

Do not lie during discovery; you’ll get caught.

This article outlines how a lawyer altered discovery documents.

What in the world was he thinking? DId he think he would get a way with it?

Sends chills up my spine.

Read this story. It contains a lesson in Ethics for the rest of us.

Firm's Mea Culpa Adds Twist to Class Action Against Best Buy

Matthew Hirsch, The Recorder
June 4, 2007

A consumer class action against Best Buy has taken an odd turn, as its outside counsel asked to withdraw from the case because one of the firm's lawyers had altered documents given to the plaintiffs.

In a May 24 motion received by a San Francisco Bay Area plaintiffs lawyer involved in the case, Minnesota-based Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Cerisi says partner Timothy Block had been placed on an indefinite medical leave. The day after he stopped working, he informed the firm "that he had redacted and altered documents that he later produced to plaintiffs in this matter."

The motion adds that the defense firm had been informed by Block's attorney that he had self-reported his actions to the Minnesota Board of Professional Responsibility.

Thanks to my friends at Solosez for tipping me off to this BIZZARE story.