A federal judge Monday issued sanctions against two lawyers, but stopped short of saying one of them lied about his mother dying in order to stall a trial.

Judge Allyne Ross reprimanded John Nonnenmacher and his former co-counsel, Jason Leventhal, for a series of pre-trial violations in a police-brutality case.

Nonnenmacher had falsely stated, through a message passed to the judge by Leventhal, that his mother had passed away, according to court papers. Ross referred both lawyers to the Committee on Grievances.

Nonnenmacher couldn’t be reached for comment, and Leventhal said, “I expect to be vindicated.”