Dennis W. McNamara, a 74-year-old former Columbus, Ohio, lawyer, was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay a $15,000 fine for making false statements to the FBI, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti reported.
Chief United States District Judge Sarah D. Morrison of the Southern District of Ohio handed down the sentence, noting that McNamara’s actions endangered a cooperating witness.
Court documents show that while representing a client providing critical information to authorities about a drug and sex trafficking organization, McNamara engaged in a sexual relationship with a female sex worker. In breach of professional ethics, he disclosed details of his client’s cooperation to her, putting the witness at significant risk. When confronted by FBI agents, McNamara falsely denied sharing the sensitive information.
Judge Morrison emphasized the seriousness of McNamara’s conduct, highlighting the potential danger to the cooperating witness.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark V. Gurzo from the Western District of Pennsylvania, after the Southern District of Ohio’s U.S. Attorney’s Office recused itself from the matter.
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