A former lawyer from Columbus, Ohio, Dennis W. McNamara, was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay a $15,000 fine after being convicted of making false statements to the FBI. The sentence was handed down by Chief United States District Judge Sarah D. Morrison on August 21, 2025.
Court documents show that McNamara, who practiced law in the Southern District of Ohio, represented a cooperating witness involved in an investigation into drug trafficking and sex trafficking in Columbus. During this time, McNamara also had a sexual relationship with a female sex worker. He disclosed information about his client’s cooperation with authorities to the woman, which put his client at risk.
When questioned by FBI agents about these disclosures, McNamara lied about having revealed the information.
Judge Morrison highlighted the seriousness of McNamara's offense during sentencing.
Because the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio was recused from handling the case, prosecution was assigned to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Assistant United States Attorney Mark V. Gurzo prosecuted the case for the government.
Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti acknowledged multiple agencies for their work on this investigation: "The FBI’s Southern Ohio Public Corruption Task Force, which includes special agents and officers from the FBI, Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and Columbus Division of Police, as well as the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force" were recognized for their efforts leading to McNamara's prosecution.
