Attorney Philip Russell, 48, Charged with Obstructing Justice & Destroying Evidence in Robert F. Tate Child Porn Case
A prominent 48 year old attorney Philip Russell has been charged with obstructing 
justice and destroying evidence in the Robert F. Tate/Christ Church of Greenwich, CT child porn scandal.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) A prominent defense attorney was accused of destroying a computer containing child pornography that belonged to his client, a former church music director, according to an indictment unsealed Friday.
Philip Russell has pleaded not guilty to the charges; however, the indictments reads as follows. Russell faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count.
The indictment says Russell destroyed a laptop computer Oct. 9 containing child pornography that was owned by Robert F. Tate, the former music director at Christ Church in Greenwich, where the former President George H.W. Bush once worshipped.Tate pleaded guilty in January to possessing child pornography.
A church employee discovered images of naked boys on Oct. 7 while using Tate’s computer, according to the indictment. A day later, church officials sealed and wrapped Tate’s laptop, treating it as evidence, authorities said.
Russell took Tate’s computer and, after learning it contained images of naked boys, “altered, destroyed, mutilated and concealed it by taking it apart,” according to the indictment.
Lawyer indicted in child porn case: Feds charge Russell took church computer, destroyed evidence
Church officials sealed and wrapped Tate’s laptop, treating it as evidence, according to the indictment. But on Oct. 9, Russell took the computer, the indictment alleges.
Also on Oct. 9 church officials and Russell allowed Tate to pack a bag, in which he put some of the child pornography and discarded the bag, according to the indictment.
Tate resigned and Russell and church officials arranged for him to travel to California, where he was ultimately arrested, according to the indictment.
“The exploitation of children is a serious offense that this office will fully prosecute,” said U.S. Attorney Kevin O’Connor. “Those who possess child pornography or hinder the prosecution of those who do by destroying evidence and impeding investigations will be prosecuted, particularly when the obstructionists are attorneys and officers of the court.” (Greenwich Times)