Local Attorney Facing Felony Communications Charges

WASHINGTON, Pa. — A local defense attorney who represented a current inmate at the Washington County Jail was charged with felony interception of communications charges on Thursday. Kimberly Ann Furmanek was appointed in March of 2021 as conflicts counsel to John Lazear who is in jail facing multiple drug and weapons charges dating back to 2020. Furmanek represented Lazear until December of 2021 when she withdrew as Lazear’s attorney and James Jeffries was appointed as Lazear’s counsel. In May of 2022 Furmanek and Lazear were still in communication and on a recorded telephone line in the jail. Furmanek contacted Jeffries on a separate phone and began discussing Lazear’s case with Lazear listening in on the recorded line. Furmanek never disclosed to Jeffries that the other line was in use and that Jeffries was being recorded on that other line. Later in May, Lazear contacted Jeffries’ office and spoke with his secretary and made threats to her over the phone. This call was recorded at the jail also. The Washington County District Attorney issued an arrest warrant for Furmanek on Tuesday. On Thursday she was charged with felony interception of communications and conspiracy to intercept communications. Lazear was charged with the same charges and an additional misdemeanor terroristic threats charge. The investigation into this case is ongoing. District Attorney Jason Walsh is looking into the possibility of an inappropriate relationship between Furmanek and Lazear. Lazear remains in the Washington County Jail. Furmanek is free on a $25,000 bond. Both will appear for preliminary hearings on June 29.