New York law firm Dewey & LeBoeuf tells us it “categorically rejects” the allegations in a lawsuit brought by the Missouri Department of Insurance over the failure of General American Life Insurance. The department, and liquidator Albert Riederer, accuse Dewey & LeBoeuf of legal malpractice and of putting other clients’ interests ahead of General American’s. As I wrote in a column last week, the lawsuit essentially tells a tale of several Wall Street sharps, including Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, conspiring to profit from the collapse of Missouri’s largest life insurer.

Dewey & LeBoeuf spokesman Angelo Kakolyris didn’t return my phone calls last week, but he did provide this statement on Monday:

Dewey & LeBoeuf categorically rejects the unfounded allegations in the complaint (which was given to the press before service on Dewey), involving its representation of General American in corporate matters some ten years ago. The complaint makes profoundly erroneous misstatements of fact and is little more than a misguided attempt by a liquidator to attract media attention. Dewey & LeBoeuf acted at all times in accordance with the highest professional standards and intends vigorously to defend these baseless and irresponsible claims.