1. Home
2. Daily News
3. Former DOJ lawyer faces disbarment for entanglement…

Ethics

Former DOJ lawyer faces disbarment for entanglement in ‘one of the largest kleptocracy schemes in history’

By Debra Cassens Weiss

April 17, 2025, 3:07 pm CDT

A lawyer who worked for the U.S. Department of Justice is facing disbarment after pleading guilty for his role in an illegal foreign influence scheme that allegedly stemmed from his friendship and legal work for hip-hop artist Prakazrel “Pras” Michel.

Lawyer George A. Higginbotham, a former senior congressional affairs specialist at the DOJ, prepared fake loan documents, investment agreements and consulting agreements to hide the source of tens of millions of dollars intended to be used to lobby the U.S. government, according to the April 16 opinion by the Appellate Division’s Second Judicial Department of the New York Supreme Court.

The Legal Profession Blog published highlights.

Higginbotham’s work was intended to facilitate lobbying for the extradition of a political dissident to China and to resolve an investigation of a foreign national who orchestrated a multibillion-dollar embezzlement scheme involving a Malaysian sovereign wealth fund.

Higginbotham was working on behalf of Michel, who wanted help with his dealings with the foreign national, Jho Low, according to Higginbotham’s testimony, as reported by Reuters, at Michel’s trial in April 2023.

Higginbotham entangled himself in a conspiracy to avoid prosecution “in one of the largest kleptocracy schemes in history,” the appeals court said. “Anything less than a disbarment is unwarranted.”

Higginbotham pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to make false statements to a bank in November 2018, according to a press release. He did not influence any aspect of the DOJ investigation involving the investment company known as 1MDB.

Higginbotham was sentenced to probation in November 2023 and ordered to forfeit $70,000, the amount of money that he was paid after submitting invoices for work in the scheme.

Michel was convicted of conspiracy and other charges in April 2023 for using straw donors in the lobbying campaign.

Low was convicted and sentenced in absentia to 10 years in a Kuwaiti prison, the New York Post reported in March 2023.

See also:

Despite lyrics mistake by AI, lawyer wasn’t ineffective for using tech in rapper’s case, federal judge says

Write a letter to the editor, share a story tip or update, or report an error.

REDDING, Calif. – In order to provide benefits to wildlife, open new recreational opportunities, and protect a historical area from potential development, the Bureau of Land Management has purchased approximately 3,200 total acres of new public land in areas from the Great Basin in northwest Nevada to the Pacific Coast in northern California.

“These successful land purchases underscore the BLM’s commitment to conserving vital habitats, enhancing recreational opportunities, and preserving the natural beauty of public landscapes for future generations, in alignment with the President’s America the Beautiful conservation initiative,” said Dereck Wilson, manager of the BLM Northern California District. “We extend our gratitude to the dedicated landowners and partners who made these achievements possible.”

The acquisitions include:

•    Greater Sage Grouse Habitat:  The BLM purchased eight parcels covering nearly 1,300 acres within areas designated as priority sage grouse habitat in Washoe County, Nevada. Containing springs, riparian areas, and meadows, these parcels provide ideal conditions for greater sage grouse, mule deer, and pronghorn. Acquiring these properties for public ownership enhances access to surrounding public lands and opens opportunities for hunting upland game birds and big game. The lands will be managed by the Applegate Field Office.

•    Mule Deer Winter Range:  Purchase of this 280-acre parcel along U.S. Highway 395 south of Susanville, California, will allow conservation of crucial mule deer wintering habitat along an important migration corridor. The newly acquired land, managed by the Eagle Lake Field Office, will also greatly improve public recreation access to the northern slope of the Diamond Mountains, a northern extension of the Sierra Nevada range.

•    Bald Mountain Special Recreation Area: This 760-acre property managed by the Eagle Lake Field Office will improve access to a popular recreation area offering 20 miles of equestrian, hiking, and mountain biking trails. The area lies between the Lassen County communities of Janesville and Standish. The acquisition opens access to the trails from the east side of Bald Mountain, complementing existing west side access. Bald Mountain provides users with expansive views of the Honey Lake Valley and a great spot to enjoy the sunrise over the Lassen County high desert.

•    California National Historic Trail: The Rush Creek parcel, 800 acres of high desert east of U.S. Highway 395 near Susanville, preserves portions of the Nobles Emigrant Trail, a segment of the California National Historic Trail. Managed by the Eagle Lake Field Office, the property contains lush stream corridors and supports greater sage grouse, pronghorn, migratory birds, raptors, and fish. It also offers excellent public access for hunting, fishing, hiking, and photography. This acquisition provides protection from potential development and includes water rights, bolstering resource resilience for the future. 

•    Guthrie Creek Expansion: The BLM has acquired the Guthrie Creek parcel adjacent to Lost Coast Headlands, an onshore unit of the California Coastal National Monument. The 143-acre parcel located west of Ferndale is managed by the Arcata Field Office and features a half mile of coastline, beach access, grasslands, coastal bluffs, and an untouched section of Guthrie Creek. Its forest teems with wildlife such as blacktail deer and black bears. Additionally, the parcel offers potential for expanding the Guthrie Creek Trail, creating new opportunities for coastal trail recreation access.

Since 2021, the BLM Northern California District has completed a total of 15 acquisition projects, securing more than 4,100 acres of new public land, comprising about $5 million in total funding. These acquisitions contribute to the nearly $44 million in planned expenditures to acquire approximately 14,000 acres for public ownership within the BLM Northern California District by the end of 2024.

These efforts, supported by the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the State of California Off-Highway Vehicle Fund, aim to preserve critical habitats, enhance recreational access, and protect vital ecosystems across Northern California and northwestern Nevada. The LWCF also provides grants to state and local governments for acquiring and developing new outdoor recreation opportunities. These accomplishments also contribute to the 30 by 30 initiative, a national goal to conserve 30 percent of America’s lands and waters by 2030.
 

A Florida attorney accused of holding a gun to his wife’s head after assaulting her may have a long history of domestic violence, according to police.

Andrew Zelmanowitz, 42, is accused of second degree felony robbery, depriving a victim of medical care, and misdemeanor assault, Miami-Dade County Court Records show. According to local ABC affiliate WPLG, Zelmanowitz’s wife went to police on Wednesday and told them he has “continuously beaten her” — and that things had escalated.