Trump attorneys sanctioned for ‘frivolous’ lawsuit against Hillary Clinton, others News
islandworks / Pixabay
Trump attorneys sanctioned for ‘frivolous’ lawsuit against Hillary Clinton, others

A judge for the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida Thursday ordered sanctions against former President Donald Trump’s legal team for a “frivolous” lawsuit against Hillary Clinton and other defendants. Judge Donald Middlebrooks ordered Trump’s attorneys to pay $50,000 to the court and more than $16,000 in legal fees to defendant Charles Dolan.

Middlebrooks found that Trump’s attorneys knowingly misconstrued facts despite being given warnings beforehand. The judge highlighted that the specific claim that Dolan was part of the conspiracy to connect Trump and Russian operations was erroneous. Middlebrooks also suggested that this was a continuation of a pattern of using the court system for political purposes, writing:

The rule of law is undermined by the toxic combination of political fundraising with legal fees paid by political action committees, reckless and factually untrue statements by lawyers at rallies and in the media, and efforts to advance a political narrative through lawsuits without factual basis or any cognizable legal theory.

Dolan moved for sanctions in July pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11. His memorandum claimed that the original complaints contained numerous false statements and were being used to “seek political scores in the judicial system.” The complaint included false statements related to Dolan’s job and his role in spreading a rumor about Trump and alleged that he reported false information about Trump to the FBI.

Trump sued Clinton and other defendants in March, claiming they intentionally sabotaged Trump’s presidential bid by raising false claims of Russian influence over his 2016 presidential campaign. Trump’s suit was dismissed by Middlebrooks in September.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.