Lawyer Loses Law License For Lying To Rhode Island Jail Guards

A Connecticut lawyer lost his law license for lying to guards at a federal jail, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

New Haven Attorney Jonathan J. Einhorn, 75, was accused of "willfully and knowingly making a materially false, fictitious, and fraudulent statement and representation in a matter within the jurisdiction of the executive branch of the Government of the United States," the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a media release.

Einhorn agreed to a deferred prosecution, the release said, admitting "there is sufficient evidence to convict him of violating federal law" and agreeing to surrender his law license for 10 years.

In May 2023, Einhorn arrived at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls to visit clients, the release said.

"As he entered the facility, he signed and dated a document certifying that he was aware that it is unlawful to bring weapons or contraband of any type into the facility and/or to pass the same to any detainee," the release said. "A Wyatt Correctional Officer stationed in the lobby asked, 'Are you gonna be passing anything to the detainees today?' Einhorn responded, 'No, not today.'"

Despite Einhorn's claim that he would not be passing anything that day, the facility's Professional Standards Unit "observed Einhorn pass paperwork to at least two of the detainees he met," the release said.

"PSU seized the paperwork from one of the detainees and found that eight pages were discolored and highly stained," the release said. "The paperwork was sent to an FBI Laboratory for testing and was shown to be contaminated with synthetic cannabinoids," which is classified as a controlled substance.

Einhorn can get his law license back after he turns 85. His website said he has practiced law in New Have for more than 30 years and "races sports cars in (Sports Car Club of America) competition throughout New England."