Another former official in the Bush administration Justice Department has accepted a public reprimand from the Virginia State Bar for attempting to cover up political favoritism in the hiring and firing of staff attorneys.
On Feb. 11, a VSB Fourth District-Section II Subcommittee admonished John A. Nowacki for violating a professional rule governing conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation which reflects adversely on the lawyer’s fitness to practice law.
Nowacki agreed to the admonition, according to the VSB.
A 2008 Justice Department report found Nowacki prepared a misleading press statement to respond to allegations of political favoritism by fellow Virginia lawyer Monica Goodling, a former advisor to then-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
Goodling also received a public admonition last March based on a finding she had committed “a criminal or deliberately wrongful act.”