BALTIMORE — An alleged wrongful termination and defamation case has emerged involving the Maryland Public Defender’s Office, which is accustomed to combating injustices within the criminal justice system rather than being accused of them. A lawsuit has been filed by a former law intern, who contends that she was unjustly fired and her reputation was smeared by the very office she hoped to join as a defender of public interests.
The intern, whose identity remains undisclosed, was terminated during a video call and subsequently prohibited from entering the office premises. According to her legal counsel, Kathleen Cahill, the reasons provided for her dismissal were allegations of stalking a fellow lawyer and being a potential violent threat—accusations that her lawyer vehemently denies.
Cahill highlighted the absence of any inquiry directed towards her client prior to the drastic measures being adopted. “They didn’t ask her anything, just took these outrageously defamatory steps. My client was left in the dark through it all, completely unaware of the accusations being constructed against her,” she stated.
Further complicating the case, the discovery of three bullets in the plaintiff’s desk at the Public Defender’s Office sparked concerns. However, it was later testified by another attorney that these were likely remnants from her own time using that desk. Despite this, the actions following her firing suggest a narrative had been set against the young intern. The office not only notified her law school, deeming her a dangerous individual, but also took significant steps by circulating her photograph within their building and broader state facilities, and barring her from entering courthouses.
A court ruling in November addressed these actions. The judge found that there was no substantiated evidence to support the claims of stalking or the intern posing a violent threat. The verdict concluded that the office not only dismissed the intern under baseless allegations but also damaged her reputation by sharing false information with third parties, including fellow employees and professional networks.
Public Defender Natasha Dartique, who is alleged to have ordered the intern’s dismissal, has refrained from commenting on the case. Post-judgment, the office has been ordered to retract statements regarding the unproven accusations within ten days, as per the judge’s directions.
Cahill stressed the impact of these allegations on her client’s future career and psychological well-being. “A simple conversation could have cleared any misunderstandings. Instead, a bright, peaceful, and hardworking young woman faced unwarranted character defamation. She aspired only to complete her law degree and serve in the office that prematurely ended her budding career,” Cahill lamented.
This case underscores the critical importance of due process and transparent communication within legal frameworks, especially for those entities tasked with upholding justice. The actions taken by the Maryland Public Defender’s Office are now under scrutiny, with broader implications for how similar cases might be handled within the realm of public legal services.
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