Lawyer representing Proud Boys and Oath Keepers in Jan 6 cases has law licence revoked in Virginia

Court finds lawyer failed to follow ‘professional rules that govern safekeeping property’ and ‘meritorious claims and contentions’

A lawyer known for representing Proud Boys and Oath Keepers in cases related to the 6 January insurrection has had his law licence revoked.

Jonathon Moseley was disbarred by a three-judge panel in a Virginia state court on Friday following a two-hour hearing, Politico reported.

Mr Moseley has represented a number of well-known Capitol riot defendants, such as one of the Oath Keepers who have been charged with seditious conspiracy and several people in the sights of the House select committee investigating the 6 January insurrection.

The court found that he failed to follow “professional rules that govern safekeeping property; meritorious claims and contentions; candor toward the tribunal; fairness to opposing party and counsel; unauthorized practice of law, multijurisdictional practice of law; bar admission and disciplinary matters … and misconduct”, according to a Virginia State Bar website summary.

When reached by phone by The Independent on Wednesday, Mr Moseley declined to comment, noting that the issue was on appeal.

Mr Moseley’s Virginia State Bar problems could impact his ability to continue to work on 6 January cases. He’s not part of the District of Columbia Bar, but he is a member of the DC federal court which is handling the cases related to the Capitol riot – but membership of that court depends on a lawyer being a bar member in another state or locality.

In an upcoming trial, 11 members of the Oath Keepers face charges of seditious conspiracy for their actions as the Capitol was breached. Mr Moseley’s disbarment may affect defendant’s Kelly Meggs ability to put forward a defence, Politico noted.

The attorney has also represented several witnesses targeted by the 6 January committee, such as Ms Meggs, and Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes. Mr Rhodes was on the phone with Mr Moseley when he was arrested by the FBI.

Mr Moseley had also represented Stop the Steal founder Ali Alexander. Mr Alexander and Ms Meggs have filed lawsuits to stop the committee from getting their phone records.

Mr Moseley is also listed as a lawyer representing the Oath Keepers in a civil lawsuit in which Democratic members of the House are seeking damages from former President Donald Trump, the Oath Keepers, and other people charged with crimes in relation to the Capitol riot.

US District Court Judge Amit Mehta criticised Mr Moseley and another lawyer in December for seeking the release of two 6 January defendants who said they may have been given the Covid-19 vaccine against their wishes. There was “no evidence to support their fantastic fears”, the judge said.

The attorney has argued on several occasions that supporters of Mr Trump wouldn’t have stormed the Capitol because they needed Congress to stay in session to overturn the election.

Mr Moseley’s website appears to have gone offline. “Jonathon Moseley delivers the results you need at a price you can afford,” the site said earlier.

Bar records in Virginia show that Mr Moseley was suspended from practising law for six months in 2009.