Feb 20, 2024,12:44pm EST
Far-right attorney Sidney Powell and her co-counsel are set to face more than $150,000 in sanctions for attempting to overturn Michigan’s election results. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to review their case, leading to the enforcement of the sanctions. Attorneys aligned with former President Donald Trump have encountered escalating penalties and legal expenses since supporting his failed attempt to reverse the 2020 election.
Key Facts:
- Michigan Sanctions: Powell and her co-counsel received sanctions in Michigan for a lawsuit alleging election fraud. U.S. District Judge Linda Parker termed their actions “a historic and profound abuse of the judicial process.” While initially ordered to pay over $175,000, an appeals court reduced the sanctions to $152,81.62 payable to Detroit and $19,639.75 to the state.
- The Supreme Court upheld the appeals court’s decision, allowing the sanctions to take effect.
- Giuliani’s Defamation Case: Rudy Giuliani was directed to pay $148.2 million to Georgia election workers after spreading false claims linking them to election fraud. This included substantial damages for defamation and emotional distress, prompting Giuliani to file for bankruptcy.
- Fulton County Bond: Several lawyers, including Powell and Giuliani, were indicted in Fulton County, Georgia, for attempting to overturn the state’s election results. Bond amounts varied, with Giuliani required to pay $150,000.
- Fulton County Plea Deals: Powell, Kenneth Chesebro, and Jenna Ellis accepted plea deals, resulting in fines and other penalties.
- Legal Fees: The total legal fees incurred by attorneys remain undisclosed. Fundraising efforts through platforms like GiveSendGo suggest substantial financial burdens, with Giuliani’s bankruptcy filing detailing $3.7 million in outstanding legal fees and debts.
Tangent: Trump-aligned lawyers have faced non-monetary consequences, including Giuliani’s law license suspension and the threat of disbarment for others. Criminal charges in Georgia carry potential prison sentences.
Contrary View: The Supreme Court declined to sanction Powell and her co-counsel in another case related to Wisconsin, affirming lower court decisions.
Chief Criticism: Powell criticized the Supreme Court’s decision, highlighting potential risks to lawyers representing unpopular causes. Giuliani contested the judgment against him, emphasizing the unfairness of the verdict.
What We Don’t Know: The full extent of attorneys’ financial liabilities post-election remains uncertain, with ongoing defamation lawsuits and potential additional charges in Georgia.
Surprising Fact: The financial toll on Trump allies exceeds $1 billion, including settlements, fines, and legal expenses.
What to Watch For: Georgia election workers filed a second defamation lawsuit against Giuliani, seeking to expedite the payment of damages amid his bankruptcy proceedings.
Key Background: Attorneys like Giuliani, Powell, and Chesebro played pivotal roles in Trump’s efforts to contest the 2020 election results, facing legal and financial repercussions as a result. Despite numerous legal setbacks, some remain defiant in defending their actions and allegations of election fraud.