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Lawyer who spilled JK Rowling’s secret identity given a fine and a reprimand

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FILE This is a Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 file photo of British author J.K. Rowling as she poses for the photographers during photo call to unveil her new book, entitled: \'The Casual Vacancy\', at the Southbank Centre in London. A lawyer who let slip J.K. Rowling\'s secret thriller-writer identity has been fined 1,000 pounds (,645) for breaching client confidentiality rules. Chris Gossage of London law firm Russells Solicitors — which represents Rowling — told a friend of his wife that the "Harry Potter" creator was author of "The Cuckoo\'s Calling," published last year under the name Robert Galbraith. The friend tweeted the information, and it was followed up by the Sunday Times. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, File)

LONDON – A lawyer who let slip J.K. Rowling’s secret thriller-writer identity has been fined 1,000 pounds ($1,645) for breaching client confidentiality rules.

Chris Gossage of London law firm Russells Solicitors — which represents Rowling — told a friend of his wife that the “Harry Potter” creator was author of “The Cuckoo’s Calling,” published last year under the name Robert Galbraith. The friend tweeted the information, and it was followed up by the Sunday Times.

The law firm apologized and paid damages to Rowling for the leak.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority says it issued Gossage with a written rebuke for disclosing confidential information about a client to a third party.

The ruling was dated Nov. 26 but published this week.

Sales of the thriller rocketed after Rowling was outed as its author.

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