Representatives Dave Min and Sean Casten Call For Inquiries into the Potential Misconduct of U.S. Pardon Attorney Ed Martin and U.S. Principal Associate Attorney General Emil Bove

Washington, D.C. — Today, Representatives Dave Min (CA-47), member of the House Oversight Committee and former SEC Enforcement Attorney, and Sean Casten (IL-6), sent letters to the Washington, D.C. and New York State Bar Associations, requesting investigations into the potential misconduct of the United States Department of Justice’s Pardon Attorney Edward Robert Martin Jr. and U.S. Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General and former Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Joseph Bove III. As licensed attorneys, Martin and Bove are subject to the D.C and NYSBA Rules of Professional Conduct, respectively. 

Representatives Min and Casten have asserted that Martin’s and Bove’s actions and public comments constitute serious breaches of professional ethics and warrant disciplinary action, potentially including disbarment. Given Bove’s recent confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate in consideration of a lifetime appointment as a judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, this misconduct is particularly concerning. 

“As lawmakers and attorneys, we understand the importance of ethical conduct, particularly for someone holding consequential positions in the government. As such, we are deeply troubled by reports of unethical and improper actions taken by U.S. Pardon Attorney Martin [and Bove],” wrote the Representatives. They continued, “adherence to the D.C. [and New York] Rules of Professional Conduct is of paramount importance to maintaining the integrity of our justice system and safeguarding public trust. We believe it is incumbent on the D.C. [and New York State] Bar to do its part to uphold the rule of law and integrity among the attorneys it oversees, no matter how powerful or well connected those attorneys may be.”

The full letters are available here. 

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