Bernard Grimm : Disbarred Former DC Defense Attorney

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

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:

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

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

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:

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: