DENVER – One of the lawyers defending an Army private accused in the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal has been fired, The Associated Press learned Thursday.
The decision to remove Giorgio Ra'Shadd (search) from Pfc. Lynndie England's (search) defense team was made by the family's attorney, a source close the case said on condition of anonymity.
The family attorney, Roy Hardy, was apparently concerned about accusations against Ra'Shadd from a former client — a dispute that could cost Ra'Shadd his law license in Colorado.
Ra'Shadd and Hardy did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Ra'Shadd is one of four Colorado attorneys representing England, the 21-year-old Army reservist who faces a court-martial for alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners in Baghdad.
She faces punishment ranging from a reprimand to more than 15 years in prison if convicted of the charges against her. She is stationed at Fort Bragg while awaiting military judicial proceedings.
England is prominent in some of the photos taken at Abu Ghraib prison (search) that have made the abuse case an international scandal.
Ra'Shadd is set to go on trial in September. He is accused of mingling client money with his own and failing to return nearly $12,000 to the daughters of a dead woman, among other charges. The trial could lead to Ra'Shadd's suspension or disbarment.
Ra'Shadd also represented Simone Holcomb, a Colorado soldier who faced charges for staying home with her children rather than shipping back to Iraq. She won her case.
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