Gingrich Reportedly Gets New Lawyer for Ethics Probe

Indicating a defense strategy in turmoil, House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) has hired a legal malpractice lawyer to represent him in an investigation of his ethical conduct. His former attorney said Wednesday that he refused to handle the speaker’s defense any longer.

Gingrich hired Randy Evans, a longtime Atlanta supporter of the speaker, said congressional sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Gingrich’s former lawyer, Washington attorney Jan Baran, said he dropped the speaker as a client Saturday, a day after a House ethics panel ended an intensive week of closed-door meetings. The investigative subcommittee is investigating tax implications of a college course taught by Gingrich and the accuracy of the speaker’s statements to investigators.

Baran indicated that conflicting statements by himself and Gingrich had been given to the ethics investigative subcommittee. One possible defense for Gingrich is to contend that Baran misled the committee.

“I wish to make clear that my firm did not submit any material information to the Ethics Committee without Mr. Gingrich’s prior review and approval,” Baran said in an interview.

“I strongly believe that is the committee’s view as well.

“We advised Mr. Gingrich on Saturday, Dec. 14, that we could no longer represent him before the Ethics Committee. We wish him well.”

Gingrich spokesman Tony Blankley declined to comment.

The ethics subcommittee appears to be near the end of its preliminary inquiry of Gingrich. The investigative panel of two Republicans and two Democrats stopped work last Friday.

It must determine whether there’s “reason to believe” that Gingrich committed ethics violations or whether the case against him should be dismissed.

If the panel finds reason to believe violations occurred, the six remaining Ethics Committee members would decide whether the charges have been proved by “clear and convincing” evidence.

The subcommittee is investigating whether Gingrich’s use of tax-exempt foundations, which filtered money into his college course, violated tax law and whether Gingrich provided “accurate, reliable and complete” information to the panel.