Supreme Court Unanimously Overturns Conviction of Carlton Fields Client

In a unanimous ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with Carlton Fields client Joseph Percoco, overturning his conviction for honest-services fraud for actions taken when he was a private citizen serving as a campaign manager, not a public official.

The Supreme Court rejected the theory that all private citizens with mere influence or de facto control over government decisions owe a fiduciary duty to the public. It held that such a rule was too vague, and could encourage arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement.

Michael Yaeger and a team of lawyers represented Percoco before the Supreme Court.

Law360 analyzed the ruling and included Yaeger among its “Legal Lions of the Week.” (Subscription may be required).