U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon of the Western District of Pennsylvania. Courtesy photo Federal Judge Sanctions Pittsburgh Firm for 'Campaign of Deception' in Debt Collection Disputes
"Counsel are well advised to heed one lesson from this experience in particular, among the many," Bissoon wrote. "This court is immune from gaslighting. It will not work, and attempts will be met with great disfavor."
August 15, 2024 at 05:59 PM
4 minute read
What You Need to Know
- A federal judge sanctioned a Pittsburgh law firm for using deceptive tactics as a basis for a pair of debt collection disputes.
- The firm had sought to catch the defendant in a FDCPA by sending handwritten letters falsely attributed to clients.
- The firm asserted its conduct was permissible because it had its clients' approval.
A Pittsburgh law firm landed itself with severe sanctions and a scathing reprimand over tactics it used in a pair of debt collection disputes.
U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon of the Western District of Pennsylvania issued the sanctions against J.P. Ward & Associates and its attorneys for what she called "a campaign of deception designed to line their own pockets."
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