Two former New York-based lawyers, Colinford Mattis and Urooj Rahman, have finally been sentenced for involvement in a Molotov cocktail attack on a police vehicle in Brooklyn in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. The two had already been disbarred after pleading guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit arson and possessing an explosive device, with sentences of 18 to 24 months.
Mattis, a suspended associate of Pryor Cashman, was sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison, while Rahman, a housing attorney, received a 15-month sentence in November. The judge noted that while Mattis was a “good guy” who made a wrong decision, the seriousness of the crimes committed could not be ignored. The judge added that lawyers were needed to step up and set an example on the night of the protests, but instead, Mattis went in the opposite direction.
In her sentencing memo, Mattis’s lawyer asked for her client to be sentenced to time served, as he is the foster parent of his late mother’s three foster children and had been attempting to adopt them. However, this request was not granted.
As of yet, Pryor Cashman has not officially fired Mattis, but now that he has been sentenced, it is expected that this will soon happen, and the case will finally come to a close.
The incidents of Molotov cocktail attacks on police vehicles during the protests in the wake of George Floyd’s murder raised severe concerns about the safety and security of the law enforcement officers who were risking their lives to maintain peace during the chaotic and dangerous times. The sentencing of these two former lawyers sends a strong message that the law will not tolerate such violent acts, regardless of one’s profession or background.
In conclusion, this case serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the law and the responsibilities that come with being a member of the legal profession. Mattis and Rahman’s actions were illegal and a disservice to the legal community and the principles of justice it represents.
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Suspended Biglaw Associate Sentenced To Jail Time After Molotov Cocktail Attack