- A federal judge ordered Donald Trump and his attorney to pay nearly $1 million in penalties.
- The two were fined for filing a “frivolous” lawsuit against Hillary Clinton and 30 others.
- In the month of September, the case was dismissed, and the judge considered that there was no merit in the claim.
A federal judge on Thursday director former President Donald Trump and his lawyer, Alina Habbato pay a combined nearly $1 million in penalties.
The pair were convicted of filing a “frivolous” lawsuit against former Secretary of State and 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, as well as 30 other political enemies.
In a scathing 46-page order, U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks wrote that Trump and his attorney had attempted to “dishonestly” advance a political story with the lawsuit, adding that no “reasonable attorney” can be filed.
Middlebrooks went on to accuse Trump and Habba of filing the lawsuit in bad faith, for an “improper purpose,” and, ultimately, of abusing the legal process for political purposes.
“The continued misuse of the courts by Mr. Trump and his lawyers undermines the rule of law, exposes judges as partisan, and diverts resources from those who are truly victims of the law,” the he wrote.
Trump and Habba, his lead attorney in the case, have been ordered individually and jointly for $937,989.39 in legal fees.
The lawsuit, which Trump first filed in March 2022, alleged that there was “a conspiracy” to share false and damaging information about Trump in order to support Clinton in the 2016 presidential election.
Clinton, the Democratic National Committee, former FBI director James Comey, and others have been accused of pushing a story that Trump colluded with Russia.
Trump’s lawyers filed allegations of defamation, theft of trade secrets, and malicious prosecution, among other claims, in the lawsuit alleging a conspiracy by Clinton.
The issue was completely dismissed in Septemberwith Middlebrooks agreeing with the defendants that it has no legal effect.
“Plaintiff’s Complaint is neither concise nor clear, and certainly does not establish that Plaintiff is entitled to any relief,” Middlebrooks wrote, adding that it appears to be an attempt to settle old “scores and complaints.”
In November, Middlebrooks A group of Trump lawyers were fined on the court. Habba, Michael Madaio, Peter Ticktin, and Jamie Alan Sasson, and their law firms, were fined $50,000, plus legal fees.
In the sentencing order, Middlebrooks wrote that “all frivolous claims are best barred by the established and settled laws.” there are
Trump and Habba did not immediately respond to The Insider’s requests for comment.
The Insider’s Jacob Shamsian first reported Trump’s lawyers have been repeatedly reprimanded for filing conspiracy charges.
In total, sixteen different lawyers have been convicted of unsuccessful lawsuits brought on behalf of the former president.