A federal judge has ruled to disqualify a lawyer, Stefanie Lambert, from a defamation case brought by Dominion Voting Systems against former Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne. The decision comes after Lambert leaked internal Dominion emails, leading to concerns of misconduct and endangering Dominion employees.
Judge Moxila Upadhyaya's 62-page ruling highlighted Lambert's 'truly egregious misconduct' and intentional actions that disregarded court orders. Lambert's involvement in spreading debunked claims of election fraud and her alleged role in a conspiracy in Michigan have raised serious concerns.
Byrne, who denies the defamation allegations, plans to appeal the judge's decision. The judge also noted that Byrne aided in the leaks and Dominion may seek further sanctions against him.
The ruling underscores the ongoing efforts of election deniers to exploit the legal system to challenge the legitimacy of the 2020 election results. Lambert's removal from the case is a rare but necessary step to address the harm caused by her actions.
Dominion Voting Systems expressed appreciation for the court's decision and reaffirmed their commitment to holding Byrne accountable for spreading falsehoods about the company and its employees.
As the case against Byrne moves forward, the judge has given him a month to secure new legal representation or choose to represent himself. The ruling serves as a significant development in the legal battle surrounding the aftermath of the 2020 election.