Exhibit B, Email Chain "Leon Haynes Protective order" — United States v. Leon Haynes (D.N.J., Document 25-2)

Summary

Exhibit B to a filing in Case 2:24-cr-00232-WJM, an email chain titled "Leon Haynes Protective order" between Assistant United States Attorneys Fatime Cano and Matthew Stark and Assistant Federal Public Defender Michael Thomas. The chain begins with Cano sending a proposed protective order on April 25, 2024. Thomas raises an ethical obligation to maintain the case file and objects to a requirement to destroy discovery after the case closes. Stark writes that the Government does not agree to delete paragraph 14. In the last message, dated June 20, 2024, Thomas says a request was sent to the court to conference the case and that the proposed language is not acceptable.

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Case 2:24-cr-00232-WJM   Document 25-2   Filed 07/29/24   Page 1 of 8 PageID: 107




                EXHIBIT B
Case 2:24-cr-00232-WJM              Document 25-2                Filed 07/29/24   Page 2 of 8 PageID: 108


 From:            Michael Thomas
 To:              Stark, Matthew (USANJ); Cano, Fatime (USANJ)
 Cc:              Bean, Samuel B. (TAX)
 Subject:         [EXTERNAL] RE: Leon Haynes Protective order
 Date:            Thursday, June 20, 2024 2:08:41 PM


 I just sent a request to the court to conference the case. I am not okay with the proposed language.
 Feel free to file and we can discuss with the court prior to my response to see if there is an
 agreement e can come to.

 Sincerely,

 Michael Alexander Thomas (he/him)
 Assistant Federal Public Defender
 Office of the Federal Public Defender
 District of New Jersey
 1002 Broad Street
 Newark, New Jersey 07102
 Call/Text: (609) 477-4465


 From: Stark, Matthew (USANJ) <Matthew.Stark@usdoj.gov>
 Sent: Thursday, June 20, 2024 12:01 PM
 To: Michael Thomas <Michael_Thomas@fd.org>; Cano, Fatime (USANJ) <Fatime.Cano@usdoj.gov>
 Cc: Bean, Samuel B. (TAX) <Samuel.B.Bean@usdoj.gov>
 Subject: RE: Leon Haynes Protective order

 Michael,

 Following up on the below. Please confirm whether you agree with the consent protective order by
 tomorrow so that we may file a motion with the court if not. Thank you.

 Best regards,

 Matt Stark | Assistant United States Attorney
 United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey
 970 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102
 Office: (973) 645-2789 | Cell: (973) 634-7874
 Email: matthew.stark@usdoj.gov

 From: Stark, Matthew (USANJ)
 Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:10 AM
 To: Michael Thomas <Michael_Thomas@fd.org>; Cano, Fatime (USANJ) <FCano@usa.doj.gov>
 Cc: Bean, Samuel B. (TAX) <Samuel.B.Bean@usdoj.gov>
 Subject: RE: Leon Haynes Protective order

 Michael,
Case 2:24-cr-00232-WJM           Document 25-2          Filed 07/29/24      Page 3 of 8 PageID: 109


 Thank you for sending the opinion citation. Upon review, the opinion states that the rule applies
 “[a]bsent specific written instructions or an express agreement or other legal authority, such as a
 court order.” The consent protective order would constitute both an express agreement and court
 order. Moreover, even without an order, the opinion doesn’t seem to apply to discovery materials
 but rather client property. In light of the above and given the highly sensitive nature of the
 discovery materials, we think the proposed consent order, including paragraph 14, is appropriate
 and note once again that we routinely enter into this agreement in this district and with your office
 without issue. Accordingly, we do not agree to delete paragraph 14. Please confirm whether you
 consent to the agreement as is.

 Best regards,

 Matt Stark | Assistant United States Attorney
 United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey
 970 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102
 Office: (973) 645-2789 | Cell: (973) 634-7874
 Email: matthew.stark@usdoj.gov

 From: Michael Thomas <Michael_Thomas@fd.org>
 Sent: Friday, June 14, 2024 9:29 AM
 To: Stark, Matthew (USANJ) <MStark@usa.doj.gov>; Cano, Fatime (USANJ) <FCano@usa.doj.gov>
 Cc: Bean, Samuel B. (TAX) <Samuel.B.Bean@usdoj.gov>
 Subject: [EXTERNAL] RE: Leon Haynes Protective order

 ACPE Opinion 692 (Supplement), 170 N.J.L.J. 343 (October 28, 2002).

 I think the language should be taken out altogether. My office should be able to follow our usual
 protocol for client file retention.

 Michael Alexander Thomas (he/him)
 Assistant Federal Public Defender
 Office of the Federal Public Defender
 District of New Jersey
 1002 Broad Street
 Newark, New Jersey 07102
 Call/Text: (609) 477-4465


 From: Stark, Matthew (USANJ) <Matthew.Stark@usdoj.gov>
 Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2024 4:52 PM
 To: Michael Thomas <Michael_Thomas@fd.org>; Cano, Fatime (USANJ) <Fatime.Cano@usdoj.gov>
 Cc: Bean, Samuel B. (TAX) <Samuel.B.Bean@usdoj.gov>
 Subject: RE: Leon Haynes Protective order

 Thank you for your response. Please send along the ethics decisions you reference below at your
 earliest convenience. As you know, we are working to produce discovery to you according to the
 schedule set by the Court, but we cannot do so until the privacy concerns regarding the documents
Case 2:24-cr-00232-WJM             Document 25-2          Filed 07/29/24        Page 4 of 8 PageID: 110


 are addressed. With regard to the scope of documents covered by the protective order, we believe
 the language is sufficiently specific, especially given the voluminous nature of the production and the
 breadth of PII contained therein, and we routinely use this form in this district.    

 If you have any suggested changes to the proposed protective order, we are happy to consider
 them. I am also available to speak and to meet and confer regarding any of these issues if you have
 time during your conference. We will wait until Monday to file a motion for a protective order so
 that we can work through these issues, but we will need to file the consent protective order or a
 motion by that time to meet the discovery deadline.      

 Matt Stark | Assistant United States Attorney
 United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey
 970 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102
 Office: (973) 645-2789 | Cell: (973) 634-7874
 Email: matthew.stark@usdoj.gov

 From: Michael Thomas <Michael_Thomas@fd.org>
 Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2024 2:56 PM
 To: Stark, Matthew (USANJ) <MStark@usa.doj.gov>; Cano, Fatime (USANJ) <FCano@usa.doj.gov>
 Cc: Bean, Samuel B. (TAX) <Samuel.B.Bean@usdoj.gov>
 Subject: [EXTERNAL] RE: Leon Haynes Protective order

 I have an ethical obligation to maintain my case file and so I take issue with anything requiring me to
 destroy discovery once the case has closed out. There are specific ethics decisions that I can send to
 you if you would like but it will take a little bit. Long story short, it is recommended I maintain a client
 file as long as the client is alive because of the lifelong consequences of a criminal conviction. I also
 think we should be more specific about the documents that are covered by the protective order.

 Sincerely,

 Michael Alexander Thomas (he/him)
 Assistant Federal Public Defender
 Office of the Federal Public Defender
 District of New Jersey
 1002 Broad Street
 Newark, New Jersey 07102
 Call/Text: (609) 477-4465


 From: Stark, Matthew (USANJ) <Matthew.Stark@usdoj.gov>
 Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2024 12:57 PM
 To: Michael Thomas <Michael_Thomas@fd.org>; Cano, Fatime (USANJ) <Fatime.Cano@usdoj.gov>
 Cc: Bean, Samuel B. (TAX) <Samuel.B.Bean@usdoj.gov>
 Subject: RE: Leon Haynes Protective order

 Can you elaborate on your ethical concern? The attached consent protective order is a standard
 form that we routinely enter. I’d like to understand your concern so that we can try to address it
Case 2:24-cr-00232-WJM           Document 25-2          Filed 07/29/24      Page 5 of 8 PageID: 111


 without having to involve the court if possible.

 Matt Stark | Assistant United States Attorney
 United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey
 970 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102
 Office: (973) 645-2789 | Cell: (973) 634-7874
 Email: matthew.stark@usdoj.gov

 From: Michael Thomas <Michael_Thomas@fd.org>
 Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2024 12:47 PM
 To: Stark, Matthew (USANJ) <MStark@usa.doj.gov>; Cano, Fatime (USANJ) <FCano@usa.doj.gov>
 Cc: Bean, Samuel B. (TAX) <Samuel.B.Bean@usdoj.gov>
 Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: Leon Haynes Protective order

 I am not available for a call right now because I am at a conference all week. Could we email
 instead?

 Michael Alexander Thomas, Esq. (he/him)
 Assistant Federal Public Defender
 Office of the Federal Public Defender
 District of New Jersey
 1002 Broad Street
 Newark, New Jersey 07102
 Call/Text: (609) 477-4465


 From: Stark, Matthew (USANJ) <Matthew.Stark@usdoj.gov>
 Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2024 12:31:25 PM
 To: Michael Thomas <Michael_Thomas@fd.org>; Cano, Fatime (USANJ) <Fatime.Cano@usdoj.gov>
 Cc: Bean, Samuel B. (TAX) <Samuel.B.Bean@usdoj.gov>
 Subject: RE: Leon Haynes Protective order

 Hi Michael,

 I left you a voicemail this morning. Please give me a call so that we may discuss your concern.
 Thanks.

 Matt Stark | Assistant United States Attorney
 United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey
 970 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102
 Office: (973) 645-2789 | Cell: (973) 634-7874
 Email: matthew.stark@usdoj.gov

 From: Michael Thomas <Michael_Thomas@fd.org>
 Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2024 8:25 AM
 To: Stark, Matthew (USANJ) <MStark@usa.doj.gov>; Cano, Fatime (USANJ) <FCano@usa.doj.gov>
 Cc: Bean, Samuel B. (TAX) <Samuel.B.Bean@usdoj.gov>
 Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: Leon Haynes Protective order
Case 2:24-cr-00232-WJM           Document 25-2          Filed 07/29/24      Page 6 of 8 PageID: 112



 My main concern is my ethical responsibility. I think we should potentially schedule a status
 conference and discuss it with the court. I am more than happy to reach out.

 Michael Alexander Thomas, Esq. (he/him)
 Assistant Federal Public Defender
 Office of the Federal Public Defender
 District of New Jersey
 1002 Broad Street
 Newark, New Jersey 07102
 Call/Text: (609) 477-4465


 From: Stark, Matthew (USANJ) <Matthew.Stark@usdoj.gov>
 Sent: Monday, June 10, 2024 1:50:13 PM
 To: Cano, Fatime (USANJ) <Fatime.Cano@usdoj.gov>; Michael Thomas <Michael_Thomas@fd.org>
 Cc: Bean, Samuel B. (TAX) <Samuel.B.Bean@usdoj.gov>
 Subject: RE: Leon Haynes Protective order

 Hi Michael,

 Just following up on the proposed protective order (reattached here). Please confirm whether you
 consent. If we do not hear from you by tomorrow, we will file a motion with the court so that we
 can keep discovery moving. Happy to discuss if you have any further questions. Thanks.

 Best regards,

 Matt Stark | Assistant United States Attorney
 United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey
 970 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102
 Office: (973) 645-2789 | Cell: (973) 634-7874
 Email: matthew.stark@usdoj.gov

 From: Cano, Fatime (USANJ) <FCano@usa.doj.gov>
 Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2024 9:51 AM
 To: Michael Thomas <Michael_Thomas@fd.org>
 Cc: Stark, Matthew (USANJ) <MStark@usa.doj.gov>; Bean, Samuel B. (TAX)
 <Samuel.B.Bean@usdoj.gov>
 Subject: RE: Leon Haynes Protective order

 Hi Michael,

 The exception is for disclosure material (discovery) that becomes part of the record of the case.
 Otherwise the alternative to the destruction is to return that material to the Government. The
 discovery is being provided without redactions of PII in light of the protective order.
Case 2:24-cr-00232-WJM            Document 25-2         Filed 07/29/24       Page 7 of 8 PageID: 113


 Thanks,
 Fatime

 Fatime Meka Cano
 Assistant United States Attorney
 District of New Jersey
 970 Broad Street | Newark, NJ 07102
 Office: 973.645.2758 | Cell: 973.856.9384
 Fatime.Cano@usdoj.gov




 From: Michael Thomas <Michael_Thomas@fd.org>
 Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2024 11:36 AM
 To: Cano, Fatime (USANJ) <FCano@usa.doj.gov>
 Cc: Stark, Matthew (USANJ) <MStark@usa.doj.gov>; Bean, Samuel B. (TAX)
 <Samuel.B.Bean@usdoj.gov>
 Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: Leon Haynes Protective order

 Is there a reason why the discovery would be destroyed afterwards?

 Sincerely,

 Michael Alexander Thomas, Esq. (he/him)
 Assistant Federal Public Defender
 Office of the Federal Public Defender
 District of New Jersey
 1002 Broad Street
 Newark, New Jersey 07102
 Call/Text: (609) 477-4465


 From: Cano, Fatime (USANJ) <Fatime.Cano@usdoj.gov>
 Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 5:29:59 PM
 To: Thomas, Michael (FD) <Michael_Thomas@fd.org>
 Cc: Stark, Matthew (USANJ) <Matthew.Stark@usdoj.gov>; Bean, Samuel B. (TAX)
 <Samuel.B.Bean@usdoj.gov>
 Subject: RE: Leon Haynes Protective order

 Hi Michael,

 I am kindly circling back on this protective order. Once it is entered with the court, we can continue
 to roll out discovery. Let us know if you have any questions with the order or if there is anything else
 you’d like to discuss on the matter.



 Thanks,
Case 2:24-cr-00232-WJM            Document 25-2          Filed 07/29/24        Page 8 of 8 PageID: 114


 Fatime

 Fatime Meka Cano
 Assistant United States Attorney
 District of New Jersey
 970 Broad Street | Newark, NJ 07102
 Office: 973.645.2758 | Cell: 973.856.9384
 Fatime.Cano@usdoj.gov




 From: Cano, Fatime (USANJ)
 Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2024 2:47 PM
 To: Thomas, Michael (FD) <Michael_Thomas@fd.org>
 Cc: Stark, Matthew (USANJ) <MStark@usa.doj.gov>; Bean, Samuel B. (TAX)
 <Samuel.B.Bean@usdoj.gov>
 Subject: Leon Haynes Protective order

 Hi Michael,

 I hope all is well.   Attached, please kindly find a protective order. If you consent, can you kindly sign
 and send back to us so we can get it over to the court?


 Thank you,
 Fatime

 Fatime Meka Cano
 Assistant United States Attorney
 District of New Jersey
 970 Broad Street | Newark, NJ 07102
 Office: 973.645.2758 | Cell: 973.856.9384
 Fatime.Cano@usdoj.gov


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