
A Denver prosecutor’s career ends in disgrace after framing a colleague for sexual harassment.
At a Glance
- Former Denver prosecutor Yujin Choi disbarred for fabricating sexual harassment claims
- Choi forged text messages and tampered with evidence to frame colleague Dan Hines
- Disciplinary judge ruled Choi’s actions undermined the pursuit of truth in justice system
- Disbarment highlights the importance of integrity in the legal profession
Prosecutor’s Fall from Grace
In a shocking case of legal misconduct, former Denver prosecutor Yujin Choi has been disbarred for framing a colleague with false sexual harassment allegations. Choi, who was hired by the Denver District Attorney’s Office in May 2019, engaged in a series of deceitful actions that ultimately led to her termination in November 2022 and subsequent disbarment.
The Colorado Supreme Court’s Office of the Presiding Disciplinary Judge released a 26-page ruling detailing Choi’s misconduct. The ruling emphasized the severity of her actions, stating that the “fabrication of false messages reflects adversely on her fitness to practice because it undermines the pursuit of truth — the very foundation on which our system of justice rests.”
A Web of Deceit Unravels
Choi’s downfall began with a false accusation against her colleague, Dan Hines, in 2021. This initial claim led to Hines’ transfer and a directive to avoid contact with Choi. However, Choi’s deception escalated in 2022 when she fabricated inappropriate text messages, allegedly sent by Hines, to support her false claims of sexual harassment.
Investigators discovered that Choi had texted herself and altered records to make it appear as though Hines had sent the messages. In an attempt to cover her tracks, Choi destroyed her phone and laptop, claiming accidental damage. The disciplinary panel found this explanation implausible, further damaging Choi’s credibility.
The impact of Choi’s actions extended far beyond her own career. Dan Hines, a former military and state police officer, suffered significant personal and professional harm. Hines described the ordeal as deeply damaging to his reputation and well-being.
“I just felt like it was like a bad dream. You attempt to hold yourself to a certain standard, and when someone comes along and makes those kinds of allegations against you, it destroys you… I wouldn’t wish this upon anybody. After the first one, when I had no way to disprove it, I was living in hell… I felt there was no way out, that everything I had lived for and stood for was destroyed. I felt like it was an embarrassment,” Hines said.
Seriously – what is wrong with people?
Implications for the Legal System
The disbarment of Yujin Choi serves as a stark reminder of the importance of integrity in the legal profession. The ruling emphasized that “deception within the ranks of prosecutors in whatever form poses an even greater danger of eroding public confidence in the legal system and its practitioners.”
“Unremitting honesty must at all times be the backbone of the legal profession. When a lawyer repeatedly employs deceit and dishonesty to harm another person, that lawyer corrodes the integrity of the profession and threatens to compromise public confidence in the legal system,” the Office of Presiding Disciplinary Judge said.
While Choi’s disbarment is set to take effect next month, she retains the option to appeal the decision. The case has prompted discussions about the need for more rigorous internal investigation procedures within district attorney offices to prevent similar incidents in the future.