Artificial Intelligence & Robotics
Federal judge limits sanction for DOJ attorney fired over AI errors
A federal judge has formally reprimanded a former assistant U.S. attorney who was fired in March for using generative artificial intelligence to draft a brief and failing to verify its accuracy. (Image from Shutterstock)
A federal judge has formally reprimanded a former assistant U.S. attorney who was fired in March for using generative artificial intelligence to draft a brief and failing to verify its accuracy.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert T. Numbers II of the Eastern District of North Carolina said in an order Tuesday former Assistant U.S. Attorney Rudy Renfer “knowingly submitted a brief containing fabricated quotations and misstatements of case holdings” and should be held accountable. But he chose not “to impose a significant sanction.”
“Given the seriousness of the misconduct, Renfer’s lack of candor and the position of trust he held, serious sanctions would ordinarily be justified to vindicate the integrity of the judicial process and deter similar conduct,” Numbers said. “But in light of the professional consequences he has already suffered, the court will limit its sanction to a public reprimand.”
Bloomberg Law has coverage.
Renfer, who worked in the U.S. attorney’s office for the Eastern District of North Carolina for 17 years, told the court during a show cause hearing March 10 that he “would never, ever knowingly, deliberately or intentionally submit any filing to any court that [he] knew contained erroneous citations or quotations.”
Renfer also told the court that he intended to resign over the errors. But according to Bloomberg Law, he was fired before he could do so.
In his order, Numbers noted that Renfer initially failed to mention during the show cause hearing that he used AI to draft court filings. But when Numbers questioned him about various errors and misrepresentations, Renfer “eventually acknowledged his conduct,” the judge said.
“Renfer’s lack of candor reinforces the conclusion that he knowingly engaged in this misconduct,” Numbers said.
See also:
DOJ leaders must explain why attorney used fabricated quotes in court filing
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