'AI Hallucinations' Used By NJ Lawyer To Create Fake Citations, Judge Says

CHERRY HILL, NJ — A lawyer from Cherry Hill was sanctioned again for misusing artificial intelligence (AI) to create fake case citations, also called "AI hallucinations," in court filings, according to a federal district judge.

Raja Rajan was ordered to pay $5,000 and finish legal education courses dealing with AI and legal ethics. He must also provide proof of other relevant classes that he may have already taken.

Rajan, a lawyer for nearly 40 years, had asked the court for a fine of only $950 after paying more than $73,500 to date for other violations, including $2,500 for other fake citations.

This, however, was after he was unable to tell the Court why he had not verified the errors in these latest filings, officials said.

Judge Kai N. Scott rejected the idea that implementing this reduced fine "for the same conduct would adequately remedy the repeated behavior."

Should Rajan violate for a third time, the Court said it will refer him to the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board for further action.

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