Legal Question in Legal Ethics in Texas

Reporting Adversaries' Illegal Activity

Is it unethical or against any ruled of civil procedure for Defense council to threaten to report Plaintiff's possible tax fraud to the IRS when the motive is to persuade Defendant into dropping the case?


Asked on 10/13/00, 4:20 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Charles Aspinwall Charles S. Aspinwall, J.D., LLC

Re: Reporting Adversaries' Illegal Activity

Yes, and it is also illegal. It is itself a criminal act [extortion] to threaten one with criminal prosecution in order to compel certain behavior.

Clear instances of such threats should be reported to the Bar Association.

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Answered on 11/06/00, 8:43 am


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