Lawyer removed from Dominion case over 'truly egregious misconduct'
Stefanie Lambert, an attorney charged with illegally accessing Michigan voting machines after the 2020 election, has been removed from a defamation case brought by Dominion Voting Systems.
Lambert represented former Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne in the case, in which Dominion alleged that Byrne made false statements about the company's role in the 2020 election. U.S. Magistrate Judge Moxila A. Upadhyaya disqualified Lambert from representing Byrne in an order Tuesday after determining that she publicly leaked internal records from Dominion in violation of a court order.
Dominion filed a motion earlier this year asking for Lambert to be removed from the lawsuit, alleging she violated a protective order placed on the documents in the case. The judge held a hearing on the matter in March.
Upadhyaya noted disqualification from the case “is extraordinary and rarely granted outside of cases involving conflicts of interest.” However, the judge said Lambert’s “truly egregious misconduct” has warranted a disqualification in the case.
“Nevertheless, the record clearly shows that Lambert deliberately violated multiple court rules and orders and continues to do so despite having had ample warning of the consequences and assuring the Court she would comply,” the order memorandum states.
“Lambert’s repeated misconduct raises the serious concern that she became involved in this litigation for the sheer purpose of gaining access to and publicly sharing Dominion’s protected discovery,” the order continues.
The order noted Byrne also violated the protective order, but the “full scope of Byrne’s actions is not yet known.” Upadhyaya said in the order their actions have "fueled theories of widescale election fraud and crime."
The order said Lambert disseminated Dominion’s discovery materials in two ways.
She included the documents in a public filing in her Michigan criminal case, where she was charged on four felony counts related to the 2020 election, according to the order. She also shared some public documents with a sheriff in Michigan, who went on to share and discuss the documents, the order said.
The order noted that before her hearing in March on the issue, she acknowledged on the social platform X that she “gave the evidence to law enforcement,” adding it “contained evidence of numerous crimes.”
The order said Lambert continued to discuss and disseminate the documents even following the March hearing. In another hearing on the issue in May, the order said Lambert “did not dispute either the underlying conduct or the authenticity of any document Dominion cited in its presentation.”
The judge said in the order there “is no doubt” Lambert’s actions would continue to interfere with the case if she was allowed to remain as counsel.
“This Court cannot allow such intentional, dangerous, and relentless misconduct to continue. Lambert is immediately disqualified from serving as counsel in this case,” the order concluded.
A Dominion spokesperson said in a statement to The Hill that they appreciated the order.
"We appreciate the court's careful decision to disqualify Patrick Byrne's counsel. Our case against Byrne is moving forward and we will hold him accountable for continuing to spread lies about Dominion and our employees," the spokesperson said.
Lambert told The Hill in a text message "we are filing an appeal."
Date: |
-
ESPN - Sports
Pogba's brother to stand trial in extortion case
A brother of World Cup winner Paul Pogba will stand trial with five other men as part of an extortion case that targeted the soccer player two years ago, the Paris prosecutor's office said Tuesday.19 minutes ago -
The New York Times - Top stories
The Defense Secretary Revoked a Plea Deal in the 9/11 Case. Or Did He?
How the latest controversy in the long-running death-penalty case at Guantánamo Bay could play out.2 hours ago -
The Guardian - World
Is it game over for Venezuela’s opposition as Maduro clings to power?
Opposition leaders are adamant their campaign to remove Maduro is very much alive – even as their candidate widely believed to have won the vote has gone into exile in Spain. Against all the odds, ...2 hours ago -
CNBC - Business
CEO of property firm Damac expresses concerns over 'expensive' Dubai
Increasing demand for property, especially in the luxury space, is boosting prices not just of homes but of everything else in Dubai.4 hours ago -
BBC News - Top stories
Driver jailed over deadly Australian wedding bus crash
Brett Button has been sentenced to 32 years in prison over the tragedy, which shocked Australia.5 hours ago -
Yahoo Sports - Sports
WNBPA, players condemn commissioner Cathy Engelbert over interview about race, Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese rivalry
The WNBA players union and several players slammed the commissioner on Tuesday after her appearance on CNBC.6 hours ago -
Financial Times - Business
Starmer’s win on winter fuel cut may prove temporary reprieve
Prime minister managed to limit Labour MP revolt over trimming winter fuel allowance but hurdles lie ahead7 hours ago -
BBC News - Top stories
Harris digs at Trump over 'bored' fans leaving his rallies
The ex-president responded by claiming Harris had to pay people to attend her own events.7 hours ago - Donald Trump -
The New York Times - Lifestyle
Ib Kamara on Taking Over Off-White After Virgil Abloh
Ibrahim Kamara on Mr. Abloh’s fashion legacy and bringing the brand he built to New York Fashion Week.3 days ago
More from The Hill
-
The Hill - Politics
Morning Report — Harris turns up debate heat against defensive Trump
Vice President Harris stuck to her debate strategy Tuesday with former President Trump by shaking his hand at the outset and then luring him into defensive outbursts that let her accuse him of ...37 minutes ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Johnson, eyeing future Speakership, faces shutdown test
The already-rocky gambit to avert a government shutdown is the last legislative trial for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) before the November election, and it could have major implications for his ...1 hour ago -
The Hill - Politics
Democrats grow more optimistic about flipping Florida
Democrats are increasingly optimistic about their chances in Florida’s presidential and Senate races as polls show a tightening race in the state, which has dramatically trended toward the ...1 hour ago - Florida -
The Hill - Politics
GOP race to replace McConnell heats up
The leadership race to replace retiring Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) is heating up as Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.) announced Tuesday that he will transfer $4 million ...1 hour ago -
The Hill - Politics
Why are so many parents 'so stressed they cannot function'?
Stress levels among modern-day parents appear to be growing at an alarming rate — so much so that U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy recently issued an advisory calling parental stress an urgent ...1 hour ago