"As a licensed attorney in Washington D.C., Cheney is bound by the D.C. Bar rules, which state that a lawyer must not communicate about the subject of representation with someone known to be represented by another lawyer without prior consent from that lawyer or authorization by law or court order.
- Unauthorized Communication: Cheney allegedly contacted Cassidy Hutchinson, who was represented by attorney Stefan Passantino, without his knowledge or consent. Passantino stated he was unaware of these communications until informed by the media and did not authorize Cheney to speak with his client without his presence[1].- Influencing Testimony: The communications reportedly occurred just before Hutchinson changed her testimony, leading to accusations that Cheney may have influenced a witness outside of proper legal protocols. This could be seen as undermining the integrity of the investigation and violating ethical responsibilities as an attorney.- Potential Consequences: While it remains unclear whether these ethical rules could be enforced against a member of Congress acting in an official capacity, experts suggest that such actions could lead to disciplinary measures from the D.C. Bar if proven. Additionally, these actions might raise questions about the legitimacy of the investigation conducted by the January 6 committee.Overall, if proven true, Cheney's actions could be viewed as a significant breach of legal ethics, potentially impacting her standing as an attorney and raising broader implications for the investigations surrounding January 6."