MIAMI – A Florida federal judge has ruled that former President Donald Trump and his lawyers are liable for almost $1 million in sanctions for a lawsuit Trump introduced from Hillary Clinton, ex-top Justice Section officers, and various others alleging they conspired in opposition to him in the 2016 campaign.
“This case must never have been introduced. Its inadequacy as a authorized assert was evident from the start,” US District Decide Donald Middlebrooks of the Southern District of Florida wrote. “No fair lawyer would have submitted it. Supposed for a political objective, none of the counts of the amended grievance mentioned a cognizable legal claim.”
Middlebrooks experienced beforehand granted the request for sanctions submitted by a single of the defendants in Trump’s lawsuit. That get — which demanded sanctions of additional than $66,000 — has been paused although Trump’s lawyers appealed. The most recent final decision, which requested $937,989 in sanctions, stems from a request by quite a few other defendants, which include Clinton.
“I discover that the pleadings right here were abusive litigation methods,” the judge wrote in the most up-to-date purchase. “The Criticism and Amended Grievance ended up drafted to advance a political narrative not to address lawful hurt prompted by any Defendant.”
The decide pointed to Trump’s “pattern of misusing the courts to provide political functions” as he ticked via several other unsuccessful lawsuits Trump has brought in latest several years.
“Frivolous lawsuits really should not be employed as a motor vehicle for fundraising or fodder for rallies or social media,” Middlebrooks wrote.
“Mr. Trump is using the courts as a phase established for political theater and grievance. This habits interferes with the means of the judiciary to conduct its constitutional responsibility.”
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