Lawyers Must Report Cash Fees, Court Says
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NEW YORK — In a major blow to criminal defense lawyers, a federal appeals court ruled Friday that attorneys must disclose the names of clients from whom they receive cash payments of $10,000 or more.
Defense lawyers said the decision would have a devastating impact on their confidential relationship with clients.
Michael Ross, who represented the American Bar Assn. in the case, said the matter would probably be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Prosecutors have argued that revealing the names of clients could help in catching drug dealers.
Friday’s decision by the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals stems from a move in 1989 to prosecute two Manhattan law firms for refusing to tell the Internal Revenue Service the names of clients who had paid them in cash amounts exceeding $10,000.
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