On Monday, January 6, 2025, The New York Times reported that former Denver prosecutor Yujin Choi has been ordered disbarred following a Colorado Supreme Court ruling. The disbarment stems from Choi’s actions in framing a male colleague, Dan Hines, for sexual harassment. The ruling, released on December 31, 2024, details Choi’s elaborate scheme to fabricate evidence against Hines.
Choi, who was fired from the Denver District Attorney’s Office two years prior, was found to have falsified text messages, manipulated her cellphone records, and destroyed her laptop and phone during the internal investigation. The 26-page ruling from the Office of the Presiding Disciplinary Judge explicitly stated that Choi’s actions undermined the pursuit of truth, a fundamental principle of the justice system. The court further emphasized the severe threat to public confidence posed by such deception within the ranks of prosecutors.
The disbarment, effective next month, allows Choi the option to appeal the decision. Despite the serious misconduct, the District Attorney’s Office clarified that a review of Choi’s casework revealed no evidence of fabrication in her professional duties.
Choi’s career trajectory within the Denver District Attorney’s Office was marked by rapid advancement. She interned at the office and the State Attorney General’s Office while attending the University of Denver’s law school, joining the District Attorney’s Office in May 2019 after graduating in December 2018. Her roles progressed from county court prosecutor to the behavioral health unit, handling felony drug and alcohol-related offenses, and ultimately to the family violence unit, where she dealt with felony domestic violence and child abuse cases.
The ruling notes Choi’s personal background, including her immigration from South Korea at age 10 and her experience as one of the few female Asian American prosecutors in the state, a situation she described as isolating. The accusations against Hines began in 2021 with an initial, unsubstantiated claim of inappropriate comments. Hines, a former Pennsylvania State Police troop commander with extensive military and law enforcement experience, denied the allegations. Following the unsubstantiated investigation, Hines was transferred within the office and prohibited from contacting Choi.
In October 2022, Choi leveled new accusations, claiming Hines sent her inappropriate text messages. However, inconsistencies quickly emerged. One message was time-stamped after Choi had already reported it to her superiors. Choi’s refusal to fully cooperate with the investigation further fueled suspicion. A forensic examination of Hines’ phone revealed no communication between him and Choi, confirming his denial. The investigation ultimately uncovered that Choi had sent the incriminating messages to herself and manipulated her phone’s contact information to implicate Hines.
The investigation also revealed that Choi altered her Verizon message logs before submitting them to investigators. She claimed her phone and laptop were damaged in separate incidents involving water, rendering them unusable just before they were to be examined. The court deemed her explanation implausible, concluding that she intentionally destroyed the devices.
The ruling strongly condemned Choi’s actions, emphasizing the importance of unwavering honesty in the legal profession. The court’s decision to pursue disbarment, rather than a suspension, was influenced by Choi’s repeated deception and lack of remorse. While Choi claimed she didn’t intend to harm Hines and cited financial stress and inexperience, the court found her repeated dishonesty to be too egregious to warrant a lesser punishment.
Hines, deeply affected by the ordeal, filed a lawsuit against the District Attorney, Beth McCann, the city and county of Denver, and the prosecutor’s office, citing damage to his reputation and well-being. A spokesperson for the Denver District Attorney’s Office maintained that the internal investigation was conducted appropriately.
The MeToo movement, which began in 2006 when sexual assault survivor and activist Tarana Burke coined the phrase, has sparked a global conversation about sexual harassment and assault, empowering survivors to share their stories and seek justice. In 2017, the hashtag #MeToo emerged as a means to raise awareness about the extent of the problem. The phrase “Believe All Women” emphasizes the importance of listening to and validating women’s experiences, particularly in cases of sexual violence and harassment.
Ms. Choi’s clumsy coverup attempts have furthered the weaponozation of victimhood. The ‘Believe All Women’ mantra has been marred by the Western left’s tepid response to the rape, murder, kidnapping, and abuse of female victims of the October 7th attacks.
