Federal Judge Suspends Alabama Lawyer After False Quotes and ChatGPT Evidence Dispute
A federal judge in Alabama suspended attorney H. Gregory Harp from practicing before the court for six months after finding he submitted a legal filing containing quotations that could not be verified and then destroyed evidence during an investigation into possible AI use. Judge Harold Mooty III said Harp deleted access to his ChatGPT account after being ordered to produce records tied to the court’s inquiry.
The judge stressed that the punishment was not simply about using artificial intelligence. Instead, the order focused on inaccurate legal citations, a lack of reasonable verification, and what the court described as efforts to obstruct the investigation.
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The case is drawing attention across the legal profession because it highlights a growing challenge facing courts nationwide. AI tools are increasingly used for research and drafting, but judges continue to warn that attorneys remain responsible for verifying every filing submitted to the court.
The ruling could become an important benchmark as courts develop new standards for AI accountability, disclosure, and professional ethics.
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