Two lawyers and their Pittsburgh-based law firm, J.P. Ward & Associates LLC, have been sanctioned by federal judge Cathy Bissoon for what has been described as a “campaign of deception designed to line their own pockets.” The lawyers, Joshua P. Ward and Travis A. Gordon, were found to have written forged letters from their clients in an attempt to ensnare the defendant in two debt collection cases, thereby violating the federal debt collection practices law. Judge Bissoon, of the US District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, delivered an opinion on August 5 in which she criticized the attorneys and their firm.
The judge’s pointed remarks included dismissing the firm’s claims of fighting for the “little guys” as “malarkey,” indicating an awareness of the broader ethical lapses in play. Such a strong rebuke from the bench underscores the seriousness of the accusations and implies potential broader ramifications for ethical standards within debt collection litigation. For more detailed information on the case, visit the original report on Bloomberg Law.