Bernard S. Grimm: Disbarred Attorney's Crimes & Misconduct

I. Disbarment and Professional Destruction

The Disbarment Proceedings

Bernard Grimm was disbarred by the D.C. Court of Appeals based on action by the Disciplinary Counsel. See In re Grimm, 252 A.3d 486 (D.C. 2021). The disbarment was the culmination of years of systematic misconduct, ethical violations, and criminal behavior that destroyed the lives of multiple clients.

Grounds for Disbarment

The disbarment was based on multiple grounds:

Embezzlement of Client Funds: Systematic theft of hundreds of thousands of dollars from client trust accounts
Breach of Attorney-Client Privilege: Unauthorized disclosure of privileged communications to prosecutors
Fabrication of Evidence: Creation of false documents and altered communications
Threats and Intimidation: Systematic campaign of threats against clients who questioned his practices
Collusion with Prosecutors: Unprecedented cooperation with prosecutors to harm his own clients

Impact of Disbarment

The disbarment had far-reaching consequences:

Client Abandonment: Multiple clients left without representation during critical legal proceedings
Financial Devastation: Clients lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in stolen funds
Legal Prejudice: Clients suffered legal prejudice due to Grimm's misconduct
Systemic Damage: Undermined public confidence in the legal profession

II. Threats and Intimidation: The Voice Message

The Infamous Threatening Voice Message

Bernard Grimm's most notorious act of intimidation was a threatening voice message left for a client who questioned his billing practices. The message contained explicit threats of physical violence:

Grimm's Threatening Voice Message: "I will break your fucking neck in so many pieces that you will need a transfusion with a fucking gas pump."

Pattern of Threats and Intimidation

Grimm's threats were not isolated incidents but part of a systematic campaign:

Physical Threats: Multiple clients received threats of physical violence
Legal Threats: Threats to disclose fabricated documents to prosecutors
Financial Threats: Threats to withhold legal services unless additional payments were made
Psychological Intimidation: Systematic campaign to silence clients who questioned his practices

Impact of Threats on Clients

Grimm's threats had severe psychological and legal consequences:

Fear and Intimidation: Clients were afraid to exercise their legal rights
Forced Compliance: Clients were coerced into accepting inadequate representation
Legal Prejudice: Threats prevented clients from seeking proper legal remedies
Psychological Trauma: Long-term psychological impact on clients and their families

III. Document Fabrication and Evidence Tampering

Systematic Document Fabrication

Bernard Grimm engaged in systematic fabrication of documents and evidence:

Fabricated Subpoenas: Creation of false subpoenas to intimidate clients
Altered Emails: Modification of client communications to create false evidence
Fake Affidavits: Creation of false affidavits to support criminal charges against clients
Fabricated Billing Records: False billing statements to justify embezzlement

The Altered Email to AUSA Giovannelli

One of Grimm's most egregious acts was the fabrication of an email sent to AUSA John Giovannelli:

Unauthorized Disclosure: Grimm sent privileged attorney-client communications to the prosecutor
Email Alteration: The email was modified to create false evidence
Grand Jury Use: The fabricated email was used before a grand jury
Credibility Vouching: AUSA Giovannelli repeatedly vouched for the email's authenticity

Evidence of Fabrication Capabilities

Grimm demonstrated sophisticated capabilities for document fabrication:

Email Editing: Ability to modify email content and headers
Document Creation: Creation of false legal documents
Signature Forgery: Fabrication of client signatures on documents
Billing Manipulation: Systematic alteration of billing records

IV. Embezzlement and Financial Crimes

Massive Embezzlement Scheme

Bernard Grimm's embezzlement scheme involved hundreds of thousands of dollars:

Total Amount Stolen: More than $725,000 embezzled between 2016 and 2020
Client Trust Account Theft: Systematic theft from client trust accounts
Unearned Fee Theft: Stealing of unearned attorney fees
Multiple Victims: Dozens of clients victimized by the embezzlement

Katherine Ross and the Embezzlement

Grimm's office manager Katherine Ross was convicted of embezzlement:

Evidence of Embezzlement: Katherine Ross admitted to stealing at least $320,000 including unearned client funds held in the trust account. The parties stipulate that Ross stole at least $320,000 from the Victim-Law-Firm and Person A through various means. Had this matter gone to trial, the parties also stipulate that the actual loss amount could have been much higher.

Grimm's Role in the Embezzlement

Evidence suggests Grimm was complicit in or negligent regarding the embezzlement:

Lack of Oversight: Failure to monitor trust account activities for 4 years
Beneficiary of Theft: Grimm was the sole recipient of restitution
PNC Bank Settlement: Grimm sued and obtained settlement from PNC Bank
Client Victims Ignored: Clients whose money was stolen received nothing

Financial Exploitation of Clients

Grimm engaged in systematic financial exploitation:

Unsigned Invoices: Demanding payment based on unsigned invoices
Excessive Billing: Charging for work that was never performed
Trust Account Abuse: Misuse of client trust accounts
Fee Extortion: Demanding additional fees under threat of withdrawal

V. Collusion with AUSA John Giovannelli

Unprecedented Attorney-Prosecutor Collusion

Bernard Grimm's collusion with AUSA John Giovannelli represents one of the most egregious violations of attorney ethics in legal history:

Unauthorized Disclosure: Grimm disclosed privileged attorney-client communications to Giovannelli
Evidence Fabrication: Grimm provided fabricated evidence to the prosecutor
Criminal Charge Generation: Grimm helped obtain felony BRA charges on a misdemeanor case
Client Betrayal: Grimm actively worked against his own client's interests

The July 10 Email Incident

The most notorious example of Grimm's collusion involved the July 10 email:

Privileged Communication: Email from client to attorney was privileged
Unauthorized Disclosure: Grimm sent the email to AUSA Giovannelli without client consent
Grand Jury Use: The email was used before a grand jury to obtain indictment
Credibility Vouching: Giovannelli repeatedly vouched for Grimm's credibility

Ethics Violations

Grimm's actions violated multiple ethical rules:

Ethics Violation: As per D.C. Bar - Ethics Opinion 256, "Rule 1.15(a) requires the receiving lawyer to return the documents to the sending lawyer; the receiving lawyer also violates Rule 8.4(c) if the lawyer reads and/or uses the material." Hence, Mr. Giovannelli has also committed violations of D.C. Rule of Professional Conduct.

Impact of Collusion

The collusion had devastating consequences:

Unlawful Indictment: Client was indicted based on fabricated evidence
Due Process Violations: Client denied fair and impartial prosecution
Attorney-Client Privilege Destruction: Complete breakdown of attorney-client relationship
Systemic Corruption: Undermined integrity of the legal system

VI. Pattern of Client Exploitation

Systematic Client Abuse

Grimm's misconduct extended beyond individual cases to a pattern of systematic client exploitation:

Financial Exploitation: Systematic overbilling and fee extortion
Legal Neglect: Failure to provide adequate legal representation
Intimidation Tactics: Use of threats to silence client complaints
Evidence Fabrication: Creation of false evidence to harm clients

Specific Examples of Client Exploitation

Multiple clients have documented Grimm's misconduct:

Ranjith Keerikkattil: Threatened, overbilled, and betrayed through collusion with prosecutor
Cherdak Case: Threatened with fabricated documents and crime-fraud exemption
Multiple Other Clients: Pattern of threats, intimidation, and financial exploitation

Impact on Legal System

Grimm's misconduct had broader implications:

Public Confidence Erosion: Undermined public confidence in legal profession
Systemic Corruption: Demonstrated corruption in attorney-prosecutor relationships
Client Rights Violations: Systematic violation of client rights and protections
Legal Ethics Breakdown: Complete breakdown of legal ethics and professional responsibility

VII. Criminal Behavior and Legal Consequences

Criminal Acts Committed

Bernard Grimm's conduct constituted multiple criminal acts:

Embezzlement: Theft of client funds from trust accounts
Fraud: Fabrication of documents and billing records
Extortion: Use of threats to obtain money or property
Obstruction of Justice: Fabrication of evidence and interference with legal proceedings
Conspiracy: Collusion with prosecutors to harm clients

Legal Consequences

Grimm's criminal behavior resulted in multiple legal consequences:

Disbarment: Permanent loss of law license
Criminal Investigations: Multiple criminal investigations into his conduct
Civil Lawsuits: Multiple lawsuits by defrauded clients
Professional Liability: Massive professional liability exposure

Ongoing Legal Issues

Grimm continues to face legal consequences:

Disciplinary Proceedings: Ongoing disciplinary proceedings
Criminal Charges: Potential criminal charges for his conduct
Civil Liability: Ongoing civil liability for client damages
Professional Sanctions: Additional professional sanctions possible

VIII. Evidence and Documentation

Documentary Evidence

Extensive documentation supports the allegations against Grimm:

Disbarment Proceedings: Complete record of disbarment proceedings
Embezzlement Documentation: Records of stolen funds and restitution
Threatening Communications: Audio recordings and written threats
Fabricated Documents: Evidence of document fabrication and alteration
Billing Records: Evidence of fraudulent billing practices

Witness Testimony

Multiple witnesses have provided testimony about Grimm's misconduct:

Client Testimony: Multiple clients testify to threats and exploitation
Court Official Testimony: Court officials testify to Grimm's misconduct
Legal Professional Testimony: Other attorneys testify to unethical behavior
Expert Testimony: Experts testify to document fabrication

Physical Evidence

Physical evidence supports the allegations:

Audio Recordings: Recordings of threatening voice messages
Altered Documents: Evidence of document fabrication
Financial Records: Records of embezzlement and fraud
Email Evidence: Evidence of unauthorized disclosures

IX. Requested Actions and Remedies

Based on the documented criminal conduct, the following actions are requested:

Criminal Investigation: Comprehensive criminal investigation of Grimm's conduct
Client Restitution: Full restitution to all defrauded clients
Professional Sanctions: Additional professional sanctions beyond disbarment
Systemic Review: Review of attorney oversight and regulation systems
Victim Compensation: Compensation for clients harmed by Grimm's misconduct
Legal Reform: Implementation of reforms to prevent future attorney misconduct
Prosecutorial Review: Investigation of AUSA Giovannelli's role in the collusion

X. Conclusion

Bernard S. Grimm represents one of the most egregious examples of attorney misconduct in District of Columbia legal history. His systematic client exploitation through threats, intimidation, document fabrication, embezzlement, and collusion with prosecutors demonstrates a complete breakdown of legal ethics and professional responsibility.

Grimm's criminal conduct, including the infamous threatening voice message, systematic embezzlement of client funds, fabrication of evidence, and unprecedented collusion with AUSA John Giovannelli, has caused irreparable harm to multiple clients and undermined public confidence in the legal system.

The evidence demonstrates not only individual acts of misconduct, but a systematic pattern of criminal behavior that requires immediate investigation and appropriate legal action. Grimm's continued evasion of accountability represents a serious threat to the integrity of the legal profession and the rights of all clients.

"Bernard Grimm's disbarment, threats, document fabrication, embezzlement, and collusion with prosecutors demonstrate a fundamental breakdown in legal ethics that requires immediate investigation and appropriate legal action to restore public confidence in the legal profession."

About Bernard S. Grimm