America First Legal (AFL) has filed a lawsuit against New York State Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan for failing to release his financial disclosures amidst concerns regarding his daughter's involvement with a Democratic firm. The lawsuit also names the New York State Unified Court System's Ethics Commission.
The legal action follows AFL's demand for Merchan's financial records, which were initially requested in June and reiterated through a demand letter last week. New York law mandates judges to submit annual financial disclosures, which must be accessible upon request.
AFL Vice President Dan Epstein emphasized the importance of transparency, stating that public access to judicial financial disclosures is crucial for ensuring fair proceedings in court cases. The organization seeks to uncover any potential conflicts of interest in Merchan's oversight of former President Donald Trump's trial, particularly in light of his daughter's political affiliations.
Merchan's daughter, Loren Merchan, holds a position at Authentic Campaigns, a firm known for its work with prominent Democratic figures such as President Biden and Vice President Harris. Concerns have been raised about Judge Merchan's impartiality given his daughter's political connections and his own donations to Democratic causes.
The lawsuit also references a previous caution issued to Merchan by the Commission on Judicial Conduct for improper political contributions. Critics, including Republicans and Trump's legal team, have questioned Merchan's objectivity and called for his recusal from the case, which he has declined.
In response to the legal action, Authentic Campaigns CEO Michael Nellis denounced the allegations against the company as politically motivated and denied any wrongdoing. The House Judiciary Committee has subpoenaed Authentic Campaigns for information related to Trump's prosecution, citing concerns about Judge Merchan's potential biases.
As Trump's sentencing date approaches, scheduled for Sept. 18, the legal battle surrounding Merchan's financial disclosures and potential conflicts of interest continues. The outcome of AFL's lawsuit against Judge Merchan and the Ethics Commission remains pending.
