Liz Cheney is facing a serious bar complaint after being accused of secretly communicating with Cassidy Hutchinson, the January 6th Committee’s “star witness,” while Hutchinson was still under legal representation by attorney Stefan Passantino. The complaint, filed by America First Legal on behalf of Passantino, alleges that Cheney violated key professional ethics rules during the high-profile investigation into the January 6 Capitol riot.
At the center of the complaint is Cheney’s alleged violation of legal ethics regarding communication with represented parties. According to the complaint, Cheney engaged in direct or indirect communication with Cassidy Hutchinson, who was already being represented by her attorney, Stefan Passantino. The issue revolves around the timing and nature of Cheney’s contact with Hutchinson, which reportedly took place prior to Hutchinson’s testimony to the January 6 Committee.
America First Legal argues that Cheney’s actions breached the D.C. Bar Rule of Professional Conduct 4.2. The rule prohibits a lawyer from communicating with a person who is represented by another attorney regarding the subject of the representation, without prior consent from the representing lawyer or authorization by law or court order. This ethical guideline is intended to protect the integrity of attorney-client relationships and ensure that no undue influence is placed on individuals involved in legal matters.
In a statement accompanying the filing, America First Legal emphasized the gravity of the allegations, saying, “Cheney appears to have violated the D.C. Bar Rule of Professional Conduct 4.2 by secretly messaging Cassidy Hutchinson prior to her testimony.”
This violation is particularly concerning given the sensitive nature of the January 6 investigation, which has placed Hutchinson in the spotlight as a key witness with significant claims regarding former President Donald Trump and his role in the events of that day.
Cassidy Hutchinson’s testimony was one of the most anticipated and pivotal moments in the January 6 hearings. As an aide to then-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, Hutchinson provided key insights into the inner workings of the Trump administration during the chaotic days surrounding the Capitol riot. Her testimony directly implicated Trump in efforts to influence the certification of the 2020 election results, including a now-famous claim that Trump allegedly tried to grab the steering wheel of the presidential SUV to drive toward the Capitol.
However, the bar complaint suggests that Hutchinson may have been influenced or pressured into presenting her narrative in a way that would support the committee’s investigation and damage Trump’s reputation. America First Legal claims that Cheney and others “pressured” Hutchinson to manufacture a narrative that Passantino, her attorney at the time, had tried to influence her testimony to protect Trump—a claim that Passantino strongly denies.
Passantino has defended himself, stating that he acted in Hutchinson’s best interest as her legal representative. The bar complaint seeks to vindicate him by pointing out that Cheney’s alleged secret communication with Hutchinson may have played a role in shaping her testimony.
If the complaint against Cheney is found to have merit, it could lead to serious legal consequences for the former Congresswoman. Violating the D.C. Bar’s Rules of Professional Conduct is no small matter, and lawyers found guilty of such violations can face disciplinary actions ranging from censure to disbarment.
The complaint highlights the importance of maintaining strict ethical boundaries in legal matters, particularly when high-profile cases are involved. Given the politically charged nature of the January 6 investigation and the ongoing scrutiny of Trump’s actions leading up to the Capitol riot, Cheney’s alleged violation has the potential to raise questions about the fairness and objectivity of the proceedings.
America First Legal’s complaint underscores that lawyers must be held accountable for following ethical guidelines, no matter their position or influence. The group’s statement suggests that Cheney, as a lawyer herself, should have been acutely aware of the ethical implications of communicating with Hutchinson while she was represented by another attorney.
The complaint goes further, accusing Cheney of improperly using her position on the January 6 Committee to pressure Hutchinson into altering or exaggerating her testimony in a way that aligned with the committee’s objectives. This claim, if proven true, could have broad-reaching implications not only for Cheney but also for the integrity of the January 6 hearings as a whole.
As of now, Liz Cheney has not publicly responded to the complaint filed against her. However, her role on the January 6 Committee has been both praised and criticized. Supporters hail her for her willingness to stand up to Trump and the Republican Party, while critics argue that she has used her position to settle political scores and enhance her own profile.
This latest development could further inflame tensions between Cheney and Trump loyalists, who have long viewed her as one of the most prominent anti-Trump voices within the GOP. The bar complaint adds another layer to the ongoing debate over the January 6 hearings, and whether political motivations have tainted the investigation’s objectivity.
The bar complaint filed against Liz Cheney by America First Legal on behalf of Stefan Passantino raises serious concerns about her actions during the January 6 investigation. Accused of secretly communicating with Cassidy Hutchinson while she was represented by another attorney, Cheney now faces potential legal and ethical consequences.
As the case unfolds, it will be critical to watch how the complaint is handled by the D.C. Bar and what further revelations may come to light regarding the January 6 Committee’s handling of witness testimony. For now, the spotlight remains firmly on Cheney, Hutchinson, and the integrity of one of the most significant political investigations in recent American history.