WASHINGTON — Despite claiming records of “D.C. Madam” Deborah Jeane Palfrey could be relevant to the upcoming presidential election, her former lawyer will not be allowed to argue for their release, after a ruling by a federal judge.
Chief Judge Richard Roberts of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia has ruled Montgomery Blair Sibley no longer has the right to argue for the modification of 2007 restraining orders, which prohibited Sibley from releasing records from Palfrey’s escort service, Pamela Martin and Associates.
Sibley claims to have 815 names and 40 escort agency records that have remained sealed, but has refused to say how he believes the records could affect the election.
In his ruling, Roberts says Sibley has been suspended from practicing before D.C. federal court since 2008.
“Sibley’s motion purports to refer to records subpoenaed on behalf of the defendant that it seems would properly be in the possession of the attorney of record for the defendant, not in Sibley’s possession,” the ruling says.
Sibley and Palfrey had a sometimes rocky relationship leading up to her trial and conviction for racketeering, money laundering, and mail fraud.
Despite firing Sibley, he has maintained Palfrey’s records since Judge Gladys Kessler ordered Palfrey and her lawyer to cease distributing them.
“Why Sibley would have possession of subpoenaed records in a case from which he has been terminated and why he would not instead have turned all copies of them over to the defendant’s continuing counsel of record is not set forth in the motion,” Roberts wrote.
Palfrey faced a maximum penalty of 55 years in prison, but she committed suicide before sentencing in May 2008.
Contacted by WTOP after the ruling, Sibley says he is reviewing his options.
