Word for pretending as though you have done right?

Question

What is the word or expression for when someone acts as though something is on the up and up, even though they know they are exploiting or abusing a system for their own benefit. For example, imagine there is an "activist" judge who uses a jaded interpretation of the law to rule against a large corporation he doesn't like, and we have the sentence:

Judge Clancy's cynical and self-serving interpretation of the
  Wildlife Act threatens to put our company out of business.

Here I have used the word "cynical" but that is not exactly right. We have sort of the idea of crocodile tears where someone pretends to be normal, but has a hidden agenda.

I think the right word may be "disengenuous", but am not sure.

A.P. · Answer

Consider dishonest, deceitful, or unscrupulous.

unscrupulous: Devoid of scruples; oblivious to or contemptuous of what is right or honorable.

(AHD)

Both a decision and a decision-maker can be unscrupulous.

Elian · Answer

skewed

: distorted or biased in meaning or effect

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language

Also, consider twisted and slanted.

twisted: having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented
  
  slanted:  favoring one person or side over another; "a biased account
  of the trial"; "a decision that was partial to the défendant"

WS2 · Answer

I would have thought prejudicial would be the best fit.

Graffito · Answer

specious conveys the idea of an intentional distorsion of the truth.

having a false look of truth or genuineness, falsely appearing to be
  fair, just, or right; appearing to be true but actually false

It's the second time this week  I propose this word as an answer!

Færd · Answer

Here are a few suitable words: phony, insincere, dishonest, deceitful and hypocritical.

But the best choice would probably be devious. You can see in the examples that it can be applied to both people and plans. So I think it would be fine to say :

Judge Clancy's devious interpretation of the Wildlife Act threatens to put our company out of business.

Emma Dash · Answer

After some searching and consideration, the closest word I can find to this idea is dissembling. To 'dissemble' means to put on a false appearance and although it does not explicit include the idea of a self-serving purpose, it is pretty close to the meaning sought.

Answered by Emma Dash on February 2, 2021

Word for pretending as though you have done right?

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