Lawmakers call for change after 60 Minutes report
On Sunday, 60 Minutes aired a story in which hidden camera footage showed what happened when New York City attorneys were presented with a pitch to help move questionable funds into the U.S. Some, including a former president of the American Bar Association, offered off-the-cuff advice on how it could be done. Only one attorney flatly declined to help, and ended the meeting.
Several viewers watching compared it to something out of a drama series:
This @60Minutes episode is really just an episode of Better Call Saul https://t.co/K79s6hgzfS
— Llewellyn Hinkes (@llewhinkes) February 1, 2016
@60Minutes pic.twitter.com/Gjhlc8J8Am
— packergirl (@p9cker_girl) January 31, 2016
Less than 24 hours later, lawmakers in both the Senate and the House moved to act.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Rep. Peter King (R-NY) and Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) announced they'll be introducing legislation to crack down on the creation of anonymous companies, sometimes used to launder money.
On Wednesday, I'll introduce a bill to help law enforcement track dirty money. More on this topic from @60Minutes https://t.co/agM2PBDJ4m
— Sheldon Whitehouse (@SenWhitehouse) February 1, 2016
Beyond lawmakers, there were lawyers watching the broadcast -- some of whom were disappointed to find their colleagues in hot water:
I am usually proud to say that I am an attorney. After this episode of 60 Minutes, I needed to take a shower.
Posted by Alan Ramos on Sunday, January 31, 2016
As a #lawyer I was embarrassed to watch the @60Minutes @Global_Witness report. #NoExcuses #RaiseTheBar
— Mitch Jackson (@mitchjackson) February 1, 2016
@60Minutes As an #attorney who has practiced for more than 27 years I am horrified and embarrassed by these comments. #globalwitness
— Stephanie M. Hughes (@SRMHughes) February 1, 2016
Other viewers were bothered by 60 Minutes' use of hidden camera footage:
@60Minutes I'm watching this session in disbelief. Slimy entrapment- what are you guys doing here ?
— Edward Donohue (@edo31) February 1, 2016
@60Minutes Still not a fan of gotcha journalism. Don't farm out your work 60 minutes. You going to get burned.
— Gclaws (@ClawsonGregg) February 1, 2016
But ultimately, one viewer argued, none of the lawyers committed a crime:
4/n None of the lawyers in @60Minutes sent engagement letters. None billed for any time. None performed any work.
— Alex Rubalcava (@AlexRubalcava) February 1, 2016
11/n Think about how you would feel if you took an intro meeting from a bad actor, listened politely, and then saw the tape on @60Minutes.
— Alex Rubalcava (@AlexRubalcava) February 1, 2016
Of course, attorney Jeffrey Herrmann didn't listen politely. He declined the offer with a wave of his hand and said, "This ain't for me." His response may have won him some new business:
I want the "my standards are higher" guy to represent me! @60Minutes #60Minutes
— DemoDisping (@demodisping) February 1, 2016
Had to Google this Dude. A lawyer with scruples. Must remember him for the future. Way to go 60 Minutes! https://t.co/QeclbP0dku
— Rawl Coulton (@RawlCoulton) February 1, 2016
@60Minutes This will be my lawyer if I need one.
— JTF_1 (@PWR_OF_10) February 1, 2016