North Carolina Federal Prosecutor Resigns After AI-Generated Errors Draw Judge’s Rebuke

The U.S. attorney’s office is tightening AI rules following a show-cause hearing over fabricated quotes.

Overview

Assistant U.S. Attorney Rudy Renfer told the court he used AI to draft a filing, calling it the worst decision of his 30-year career, and he announced his resignation.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert T. Numbers II questioned Renfer’s candor, displayed other recent filing errors, and criticized the use of shortcuts on basic legal work.
Retired Air Force Col. Derence V. Fivehouse alerted the court that the Defense Department’s response contained fabricated quotations and misquoted case holdings.
U.S. Attorney W. Ellis Boyle said the office will address AI policies and, in an internal memo, warned staff that AI may hallucinate and barred using it to draft court briefs.
The filing at issue came in a TRICARE benefits suit concerning access to GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, where the court had threatened sanctions and replaced Renfer on the case.