Feds: Terror trial prosecutor shouldn't collect legal fees
Headline News
A former prosecutor lied about achievements on his resume and shouldn't collect legal fees for defending himself against charges from a botched terrorism trial, federal authorities say.
A jury in October acquitted Richard Convertino of accusations that he presented false evidence and concealed evidence when he prosecuted North African immigrants in 2003. The government dismissed an obstruction of justice charge a month later.
Convertino asked a Detroit judge last month to order the government to pay his defense costs.
Convertino told The Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press for stories Tuesday that the government continues to try to discredit him, despite his acquittal. He said many of the allegations are false or so old that they are difficult to confirm or deny.
The Justice Department's accusations include that Convertino falsely claimed a high school class presidency as well as college and law school honors. The allegedly padded resumes were used to get positions within the Justice Department and were submitted to the White House in 2001 when he was seeking a judgeship, according to the filing.
"I will fight them until hell freezes over and then on the ice," said Convertino, who is planning a malicious prosecution lawsuit. "This is our government that is conducting themselves in this manner, and it's disgusting that they're able to do that."
The Justice Department argued the allegations are relevant in deciding whether the government should pay Convertino's defense costs because it's important to know the information prosecutors acted on.
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