A former lawyer from Columbus, Ohio, Dennis W. McNamara, has been sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay a $15,000 fine after being convicted of making false statements to the FBI. The sentencing took place in the Southern District of Ohio before Chief United States District Judge Sarah D. Morrison on August 21, 2025.
McNamara, 74, previously practiced law in the Southern District of Ohio. Court records show that he represented a cooperating witness who provided information about a drug trafficking and sex trafficking organization operating in Columbus. During this period, McNamara was also involved in a sexual relationship with a female sex worker. He disclosed to her that he represented the cooperating witness and shared details about his client’s cooperation with authorities, actions which placed his client at risk.
When questioned by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding these disclosures, McNamara denied having revealed any information.
In issuing the sentence, Judge Morrison highlighted the seriousness of McNamara’s conduct.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio recused itself from investigating and prosecuting this matter; responsibility was transferred to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Assistant United States Attorney Mark V. Gurzo led the prosecution for the government.
Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti acknowledged several agencies for their roles in investigating and prosecuting McNamara: “I commend FBI’s Southern Ohio Public Corruption Task Force—which includes special agents and officers from FBI, Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and Columbus Division of Police—as well as Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force for their investigation leading to this successful prosecution.”
