Watchdog Files Bar Complaint Over Alina Habba’s Pattern of Unethical Conduct
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 25, 2025
Contact: Michael Clauw, mclauw@campaignforaccountability.org, 202.780.5750
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Campaign for Accountability (CfA) asked the New Jersey Office of Attorney Ethics (OAE) to investigate Alina Habba, the Interim United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, for potential violations of the New Jersey Rules of Professional Conduct related to her ordering the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, subsequent prosecution of Congresswoman LaMonica McIver, and announcing a criminal investigation into New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matt Platkin.
CfA Executive Director Michelle Kuppersmith said, “In less than three months on the job, Alina Habba has managed to steamroll over a shocking number of ethical boundaries. She has been explicit in her intention to weaponize her position to ‘turn New Jersey red.’ Unfortunately, while she appears to have repeatedly broken her oath to uphold the constitution, she’s demonstrated a willingness to abuse her position, putting put partisan politics above her professional responsibilities.”
CfA’s complaint outlines, in detail, how Ms. Habba’s conduct with respect to the charges brought against Mayor Baraka and Rep. McIver, and the announced investigations into Governor Murphy and Attorney General Platkin may violate multiple Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC). These possible violations include:
– RPC 8.4, prohibiting conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation, as well as conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice;
– RPC 3.4(g), prohibiting threatening criminal charges to obtain an advantage in a civil matter;
– RPC 3.3(a)(1), prohibiting false statements to a tribunal;
– RPC 3.6(e), prohibiting extrajudicial statements that would prejudice a court proceeding;
– RPC 3.8(a), prohibiting the prosecution of a charge without probable cause; and
– RPC 3.8(f), prohibiting extrajudicial comments designed to heighten public condemnation of the accused.
Ms. Kuppersmith added, “Alina Habba’s egregious actions undermine the integrity of the DOJ and will undoubtedly erode public trust in the legal system. The New Jersey OAE, uniquely positioned to serve as a check on such conduct, should take its duty seriously, investigate, and hold her accountable for any violations.”
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.