Federal prosecutors said cellphone records of a defense lawyer in a Roanoke drug case were obtained to determine if he encouraged a subpoenaed witness not to testify before the grand jury.
The explanation filed in court Friday and a defense response Saturday add to an unusual exchange of accusations between the U.S. attorney’s office in Roanoke and the man who once headed it, John L. Brownlee, a former U.S. attorney for the Western District of Virginia who now works as a criminal defense lawyer.
Brownlee represents Dr. Frank Purpera Jr., who practices in Blacksburg and was indicted by a grand jury Dec. 14 on 68 charges of obtaining controlled substances by fraud; failing to keep proper records; and making false statements. Brownlee previously worked as a defense lawyer for former Gov. Bob McDonnell during his corruption trial.
