New York Bar Finds Trump Attorney Sarcone Committed Misconduct, Watchdog Responds
WASHINGTON D.C. – Campaign for Accountability (CfA), received a letter from the Attorney Grievance Committee of the Third Judicial Department of New York saying it determined, based on allegations brought forth in a CfA complaint, that the actions undertaken by New York-licensed attorney John A. Sarcone III while serving as Interim U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York amounted to professional misconduct.
The letter, received on May 6, stated, in part: “[A]fter deliberation, the Committee determined there was a sufficient basis for a finding of professional misconduct and took appropriate action. With this action the matter is concluded.
We regret that we cannot be more specific about the nature of the action taken and in accordance with Judiciary Law §90(10) and Atty. Disc. Rules §1240.18, all papers, records and documents of a disciplinary investigation and proceeding are sealed and deemed private and confidential.”
The Committee thanked CfA for bringing “this matter” to its attention, but did not elaborate on the action taken, or which of the facts detailed in CfA’s complaint resulted in the finding of misconduct.
CfA Executive Director Michelle Kuppersmith said, “While we’re pleased the New York Attorney Grievance Committee recognized that Mr. Sarcone, who remains First Assistant in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, engaged in professional misconduct, a secret slap on the wrist is insufficient. Mr. Sarcone’s pattern of conduct reflects on his credibility as an officer of the court, so any court in which he appears—along with the public—deserves to know what he was sanctioned for and why.”
CfA’s 2025 complaint highlighted video evidence revealing that Mr. Sarcone had made false statements about an alleged assault, persuading a prosecutor to level unwarranted criminal charges against his alleged assailant; that he had falsely attested to a residential address where he could not have resided; and that he retaliated against the media for reporting on these incidents, all in likely violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
Campaign for Accountability is a nonpartisan, nonprofit watchdog organization that uses research, litigation, and aggressive communications to expose misconduct and malfeasance in public life and hold those who act at the expense of the public good accountable for their actions.