In a move that has been threatened for almost 14 years, the Grievance Committee for The Association of the Bar of the City of New York today voted unanimously to revoke Sam Waterston’s license to act like he’s practicing law. Announced via a press conference on cable channel TNT, the Committee claims that Waterston, acting under the alias of Executive Assistant District Attorney John "Jack" McCoy since 1994, has been repeatedly sanctioned for client complaints of conflicts of interest, delay and neglect. It was a stunning announcement that some had predicted as “inevitable” while others felt like McCoy would be permitted to go on flaunting the ethical rules for many more seasons.
According to investigative documents obtained by Litination reporters, Waterston has been repeatedly sanctioned for putting his own interests ahead of his clients. For example, Leslie Moltoy was allegedly raped and beaten by her ex-husband during a 1996 episode of Law & Order but lost the case when Waterston clearly let his emotions get the best of him during his closing argument. When the jury found for the defense, Ms. Moltoy, actually actress Maryann Beatridge from Cherry Hills, New Jersey, was devastated.
“As soon as we finished taping that day I went online and found out about how to register a formal complaint with the New York City bar,” explained Beatridge. “Sure, my initial complaint was laughed at, but a couple of years later after Sam sold himself and his reputation to a bank things suddenly seemed a whole lot more plausible.”
What Ms. Beatridge is referencing is the highly controversial decision by Waterston/McCoy to take on a role as the spokesperson for TD Waterhouse. The basic idea behind the controversial spots was to present potential investors with a familiar and trustworthy spokesperson. According to industry sources, Waterston took on the role even though intense pressure from the bar association led former Law & Order castmate Steven Hill to drop the same gig.
Waterson has also appeared in a recurring segment on The Colbert Report, called Sam Waterson Says Things You Should Never Believe In A Trustworthy Manner. The segments usually involve Waterson simply stating an obviously untrue film quote in a very convincing voice. According to the report issued by New York's Grievance Committee, these spots would only further confuse future fake Law & Order jurors. Specifically, the report said, even the writers won't be able to control how whether juries find Jack McCoy's closing arguments credible.
Fortunately for Waterston fans this move should not entirely hamper his ability to continue the fake practice of law. The move requires that Jack McCoy no longer practice on Law & Order or Law & Order: Trial By Jury, but no mention is made of Homicide: Life on the Street or Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
According to investigative documents obtained by Litination reporters, Waterston has been repeatedly sanctioned for putting his own interests ahead of his clients. For example, Leslie Moltoy was allegedly raped and beaten by her ex-husband during a 1996 episode of Law & Order but lost the case when Waterston clearly let his emotions get the best of him during his closing argument. When the jury found for the defense, Ms. Moltoy, actually actress Maryann Beatridge from Cherry Hills, New Jersey, was devastated.
“As soon as we finished taping that day I went online and found out about how to register a formal complaint with the New York City bar,” explained Beatridge. “Sure, my initial complaint was laughed at, but a couple of years later after Sam sold himself and his reputation to a bank things suddenly seemed a whole lot more plausible.”
What Ms. Beatridge is referencing is the highly controversial decision by Waterston/McCoy to take on a role as the spokesperson for TD Waterhouse. The basic idea behind the controversial spots was to present potential investors with a familiar and trustworthy spokesperson. According to industry sources, Waterston took on the role even though intense pressure from the bar association led former Law & Order castmate Steven Hill to drop the same gig.
Waterson has also appeared in a recurring segment on The Colbert Report, called Sam Waterson Says Things You Should Never Believe In A Trustworthy Manner. The segments usually involve Waterson simply stating an obviously untrue film quote in a very convincing voice. According to the report issued by New York's Grievance Committee, these spots would only further confuse future fake Law & Order jurors. Specifically, the report said, even the writers won't be able to control how whether juries find Jack McCoy's closing arguments credible.
Fortunately for Waterston fans this move should not entirely hamper his ability to continue the fake practice of law. The move requires that Jack McCoy no longer practice on Law & Order or Law & Order: Trial By Jury, but no mention is made of Homicide: Life on the Street or Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
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