Karen Cleaver-Bascombe

DCCA Opinion (January 14, 2010)

Summary: The D.C. Court of Appeals disbarred Cleaver-Bascombe for violating rules pertaining to charging an unreasonable fee; making a false statement of material fact to a tribunal; engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation; and engaging in conduct that seriously interferes with the administration of justice. Specifically, Cleaver-Bascombe submitted a false voucher to the court in support of her application for payment under the Criminal Justice Act, D.C. Code §11-2601 et seq. (2001), for her representation of an indigent criminal defendant. In addition, the court found that her false testimony before the hearing committee, in defending the accuracy of her fraudulent voucher, constituted an aggravating factor. Rules 1.5(a), 3.3(a)(1), 8.4(c), and 8.4(d).

Board Report and Orders (July 21, 2006)

Summary: In this supplemental report and recommendation issued after remand by the D.C. Court of Appeals, the board recommends that the D.C. Court of Appeals suspend Cleaver-Bascombe for two years, with fitness. Cleaver-Bascombe submitted a false voucher to the court in support of her application for payment under the Criminal Justice Act, D.C. Code § 11-2601 et seq. (2001), for her representation of an indigent criminal defendant. Three members of the board dissented. Two of the three dissenting board members stated they would not make a finding that Cleaver-Bascombe testified falsely during the hearing in this matter, with willful intent to do so, and recommended a six-month suspension. The third board member, writing separately, dissented for the reasons set forth by Associate Judge Glickman in his dissenting opinion to the court’s remand order.

DCCA Opinion (February 9, 2006)

Summary: The D.C. Court of Appeals remanded this matter to the Board on Professional Responsibility for revised findings and a new recommendation. One judge dissented and concluded that Cleaver-Bascombe should be disbarred.

Board Report and Orders (December 17, 2004)

Summary: The board recommends that the court suspend Cleaver-Bascombe for three months and condition her reinstatement on her taking a record-keeping and timekeeping course. Cleaver-Bascombe submitted a Criminal Justice Act voucher for work she did not perform and in so doing charged an unreasonable fee; made a false statement of material fact to a tribunal; engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation; and engaged in conduct that seriously interfered with the administration of justice, in violation of Rules 1.5(a), 3.3(a)(1), 8.4(c), and 8.4(d).