Pro-Trump Lawyer Removed from Dominion Case for Leaking 2020 Election Docs

LANSING, Mich. — A lawyer closely associated with pro-Trump efforts is facing serious repercussions in Michigan. Stefanie Lambert, who has been handling a defamation lawsuit for Patrick Byrne, the founder of Overstock.com, has now been disqualified from representing him. This follows her felony charges related to improper access to voting equipment after the controversial 2020 presidential election.

Byrne’s lawsuit is against Dominion Voting Systems, a company frequently targeted by conspiracy theories regarding the election outcome. U.S. District Court Judge Moxila A. Upadhyaya made the ruling on Tuesday, citing Lambert’s admission to releasing thousands of confidential discovery documents. These were meant to remain private under the terms agreed upon by all parties involved.

In her lengthy 62-page judgement, Judge Upadhyaya expressed concern over Lambert’s actions, which resulted in the confidential documents being widely disseminated. “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 judge stated.

Lambert’s attorney, Daniel Hartman, confirmed that they plan to appeal the decision. In a message to The Associated Press, Byrne expressed confidence in their case, stating, “They may think it was a tactical victory, but they will come to understand it was a strategic mistake.”

This situation is further complicated by Lambert’s earlier actions, where she admitted to disclosing records from Dominion Voting Systems to law enforcement. She provided these documents alongside an affidavit from Dar Leaf, a county sheriff who has been investigating unsubstantiated claims of widespread election fraud. Some of the leaked materials were posted online under Leaf’s name.

Following these developments, Dominion filed a motion to have Lambert removed from the case. They argued that her breach of the protective order led to increased threats against the company, which has been heavily implicated in the conspiracy theories surrounding Trump’s election loss.

Judge Upadhyaya described Dominion’s request as “extraordinary,” but warranted due to Lambert’s apparent disregard for legal obligations and court orders. “She has no regard for orders or her obligations as an attorney,” the judge remarked.

In addition to the dismissal from Byrne’s case, Lambert faces her own legal troubles. She has been charged with four felonies in Michigan for her role in accessing voting machines, seeking evidence that would support the election fraud theories. Earlier this year, she was arrested by U.S. Marshals following a bench warrant issued for failing to appear at a hearing related to her case.

Alongside a local clerk, Lambert has been charged with a series of felonies, including unauthorized access to a computer and using a computer to commit a crime. This was linked to an incident involving data from a township’s poll book regarding the 2020 election.

As of now, Lambert has pleaded not guilty to these charges. Previously, she attempted to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Michigan, asserting that Trump had actually won. The state ultimately saw Biden secure victory by nearly 155,000 votes, a result corroborated by a Republican-led state Senate inquiry in 2021.

Dominion Voting Systems is actively pursuing several defamation lawsuits against individuals and entities that have promoted false claims about their equipment. One of the most notable cases was against Fox News, which resulted in a significant settlement of $787 million last year. Byrne’s case represents just one of several Dominion suits initiated against high-profile proponents of election denial, including MyPillow’s Mike Lindell and attorney Sidney Powell.

As these cases unfold, the legal implications of Lambert’s actions will likely resonate well beyond Michigan’s borders, reflecting ongoing tensions in the aftermath of a polarizing election.

Source: Associated Press