Florida Bar Says No Lindsey Halligan Investigation After Earlier Claim

The Florida Bar first said it was investigating Lindsey Halligan, but now says it is not. This is a change from their earlier statement.
By Newsroom | Law, Florida |

The Florida Bar has declared it is not investigating Lindsey Halligan, a former acting U.S. attorney and prominent figure within the orbit of President Trump. This declaration arrives after earlier communications from the Bar suggested an inquiry into Halligan's conduct was indeed underway. The Bar now claims its prior assertion of a "pending investigation" was an error.

A spokesperson for the Florida Bar stated that a letter sent previously to a watchdog group, the Campaign for Accountability (CfA), had "erroneously" indicated a formal investigation. Instead, the Bar maintains that a complaint filed against Halligan remains at a preliminary stage, with an "open file" to monitor ongoing legal proceedings related to the complaint.

BACKGROUND TO THE WHIPLASH

The confusion originated following a complaint lodged by the CfA with the Florida Bar. This complaint questioned Halligan's adherence to ethical rules during her tenure under the Trump administration, particularly concerning prosecutions aimed at perceived political adversaries of the former president. Halligan, notably, was selected by Trump to pursue charges against figures like former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, though these efforts did not result in successful prosecutions.

Read More: Florida Bar Investigates US Attorney Roger Handberg for Conduct in Middle District

The Florida Bar's initial communication, a letter to the CfA, had stated unequivocally that an investigation was pending. This stance has now been reversed, leaving the CfA expressing confusion. The Bar has not specified if future investigations into Halligan are a possibility.

The timing of these communications is also noteworthy, coinciding with a Justice Department proposal seeking to intervene in state bar disciplinary proceedings against former employees. This proposal suggests that the Department should first review allegations, potentially pausing state bar investigations. However, the proposal does not mandate state bars to halt their own inquiries. The broader context involves the confirmation process for U.S. attorneys, who are subject to Senate approval within a specific timeframe following their appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Florida Bar investigating Lindsey Halligan?
No, the Florida Bar has stated it is not investigating Lindsey Halligan. They said an earlier message suggesting an investigation was pending was an error.
Q: Why did the Florida Bar say it was investigating Lindsey Halligan before?
The Florida Bar sent a letter to a group called the Campaign for Accountability that mistakenly said an investigation was pending. The Bar now says a complaint against Halligan is just at a starting point.
Q: What was the complaint against Lindsey Halligan about?
The complaint questioned if Halligan followed ethical rules while working for the Trump administration. This was related to cases she handled against people seen as political opponents.
Q: What happens next with the complaint against Lindsey Halligan?
The Florida Bar says the complaint is at a preliminary stage with an 'open file' to watch legal actions. They have not said if they might investigate later.