Ineffective Assistance. Isaac Jacob Sharvit was found guilty of engaging in a conspiracy to dstribute and possessing with intent to distribute pills containing ecstasy. He moved for a new trial on the ground of ineffective assistance of counsel, which was denied, based primarily on the affidavit of his trial counsel, who rebutted all of Sharvit's contentions. He appealed.

During the pendency of his appeal, Sharvit's trial counsel was indicted for conspiracy to defraud the United States by submitting fraudulent appplications for appointment of counsel under the Criminal Justice Act. The indictment also stated that she had made false statements to the United States District Court and to criminal investigators and that she attempted to dissuase another person from making certain communications to law enforcement personnel. According to a New York Times article, there were allegations that the attorney abused prescription drugs and laundered money on behalf of a client. Sharvit brought these facts to the attention of the Second Circuit in his reply brief. The Government did not deny any of the allegations.

The Second Circuit remanded the case to the District Court for further fact finding, although the Court noted that the usual procedure for bringing an ineffective assistance claim is on habeas review. The case, which was decided on July 30, 2004, can be found here.