Illinois Prosecutor Charged With Ethical Breach in “Grandma Ruse”

Illinois Assistant Attorney General Paul Ambrose Rathburn is the subject of an interesting ethical charge after allegedly using the “grandma ruse” to gain evidence against a condominium project for lack of handicapped access. Rathburn is accused of entering the premises under the false pretense that he was looking for a condo for his grandma when he knew the party was represented and sought information under false pretenses.

We will have to see if defense counsel will not locate Rathburn’s actual grandma and move her into the building. Where is Johnny Cochran when we need him: “If she rents, you must relent.”

Rathburn went to Onan Senior Suites in Waukegan, Ill., along with another lawyer and a disability specialist. He told the building manager he was looking for condos for his grandmother in Wisconsin and allegedly used the false pretense to gain information. It should have been immediately obvious as a ruse. No one from Wisconsin would risk moving to Illinois after the last Packers-Bears game.

Here is the full complaint: Rathburn Complaint

Source: Legal Professionas first seen on ABA Journal