Posted on 05/24/2020 10:36:49 AM PDT by Kaslin
The Michael Flynn case has gone off the hinges. In reality, there is no case. The Department of Justice has filed a motion to dismiss the case against the former national security adviser after new documents showed a large-scale plot from within the FBI to entrap Flynn despite a lack of evidence concerning Russian collusion. Remember, Flynn made some phone calls to the Russians which made him a target. These weren’t pernicious calls.This was standard operating procedure for any incoming administration. Yet, James Comey wanted to get Flynn at all costs.
No one has opposed the motion to dismiss. The prosecutor has resigned there is no case, but Judge Emmet Sullivan wants to keep this circus act going. He’s allowing Trump-deranged lawyers to file amicus briefs and appointed a retired Judge John Gleeson to fight the DOJ motion and see if the federal courts could file perjury charges against Flynn, now that he’s fought to withdraw that plea deal regarding the bogus “lying to the FBI” charge.
Sullivan is overreaching and Flynn’s legal team has filed a new petition to drop the case and get the former general out of legal purgatory. The DC Court of Appeals could have rejected the writ of mandamus outright. They didn’t. Instead, their actions point to the court being highly disturbed by Sullivan’s actions, as they’ve ordered him to respond personally to the writ in the next ten days. The petition, filed by Flynn’s attorney, Sidney Powell, calls for the case to be dismissed, the judge removed, and overall legal relief for her client. Sullivan had called Flynn a traitor in open court. It shouldn’t be shocking if a good chunk of this writ is agreed upon. Some legal advisers noted that this writ has already climbed a huge hurdle with a response like this, which is the most drastic of options for Sullivan.
Yet, his actions in response to the Flynn legal team’s writ of mandamus has raised some eyebrows; he’s hired a high-powered attorney to do his work for him in this area (via WaPo):
The federal judge who refused a Justice Department request to immediately drop the prosecution of former Trump adviser Michael Flynn has hired a high-profile trial lawyer to argue his reasons for investigating whether dismissing the case is legally or ethically appropriate.
In a rare step that adds to this criminal case’s already unusual path, U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan has retained Beth Wilkinson to represent him in defending his decision to a federal appeals court in Washington, according to a person familiar with the hire who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. The U.S. District Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit is now examining the judge’s actions and the larger case against Flynn after lawyers for President Trump’s former national security adviser asked the court to force Sullivan to toss Flynn’s guilty plea.
Wilkinson, known for her top-notch legal skills and get-results style, is expected to file a notice with the court in the coming week about representing the judge. She declined to comment when reached Friday evening. Sullivan also declined to comment through his office.
A federal judge doesn’t typically hire private counsel to respond to an appeals court…
What is Judge Sullivan thinking? A judge tells Court of Appeals he needs a lawyer to represent him on his management and rulings in a case? Where outcome, whether he likes it or not, is obvious under Circuit precedent? Are plaudits for anti-Trump cred worth his reputation? 1/2— Andy McCarthy (@AndrewCMcCarthy) May 23, 2020
He’s totally entitled to fume on the record that Flynn looked him in the eye and swore that he lied, that Flynn’s erratic litigation strategy caused the court needless effort, and that he thinks DOJ is wrong. But the law requires him to grant the dismissal. Do your job. 2/2— Andy McCarthy (@AndrewCMcCarthy) May 23, 2020
Flynn update via WaPo:
Judge Sullivan - ordered to explain his reasons for not granting the DOJ motion to dismiss - has hired a lawyer to apparently do his work for him. pic.twitter.com/7kGeolVRn4— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) May 23, 2020
Certainly an odd development. Theres no reason Sullivan can't respond to appeals court order himself.
WapPo:
"A federal judge doesn’t typically hire private counsel to respond to an appeals court"
Unsure if the appeals court will allow this.
Full story:https://t.co/70chy4CKsZ— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) May 23, 2020
I am less harsh on the idea of a judge hiring a lawyer, just because his day job might be very busy. But bluntly, I find it weird that he has hired such a high powered attorney who is also likely very expensive on a judge’s salary. Unless he’s pro bono
Cc @mVespa1 @PolitiBunny https://t.co/2ry1VufZ8e— (((Aaron “Worthing” Walker))) (@AaronWorthing) May 24, 2020
Question: is there any indication this is pro-bono? Because if not, that’s a ridiculous amount of money to spend on it. Cc @mVespa1 https://t.co/qXyYLQT8Go— (((Aaron “Worthing” Walker))) (@AaronWorthing) May 23, 2020
DC-based lawyer Aaron Worthing asked if Wilkerson was doing this pro bono since the bill is probably going to be quite steep, especially for someone on a judge’s salary.
There was speculation that Sullivan refused to toss the case, appointed Gleeson to keep it going, and hoped this could spill into after the election, where a Democratic DOJ could drop the motion to dismiss.
If that was the game plan, it could get torpedoed soon.
I was unaware of Senator Ted Stevens’ case and had to look it up. He went through his own hell. After the case against him was dismissed in 2009:
“He wanted legislation passed to spare others the injustice he endured — especially those who do not have 12 lawyers representing them.”
It doesn’t sound like much has changed since then.
The ignorant hack in a robe could not write a response based on law in a
year, much less 10 days. That’s why he hired a smart white female to do
it for him.
How he rose up the ranks into his position is beyond me.
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I find that difficult to believe unless, that is, you have not seen his mug in the media.
He’s a black judge. He has immunity from the law. If you say otherwise, you’re a racist. See how that works?
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It astounds me how many people do NOT see how that works, although I suppose a good number of them DO see how it works but simply refuse to acknowledge it.
When the Department of Justice no longer chooses to prosecute Flynn, where is his accuser? Judge Sullivan is a fool to persue this case. It will be undone by the Supreme Court if he chooses to go ahead. He is just being a democrat in trying to punish Flynn. There is no case against him anymore. Judge Sullivan is severely damaging his reputation by continuing on.
Nope. One committed suicide because he thought he would be disbarred. the others were suspended by the DOJ for about a week and went right back to work.
Sedition under color of law.
Thanks. I added “Conviction Machine” to my wish list.
I think a lot of it has to do with the color of the chump’s skin.
I’ll go a step further and say Judge Sullivan needs to spark a new definition of ‘hanging judge.’ The behavior is so outrageous that a Nuremburg trial and hempen necktie therapy would be in order here.
I’d bet anything he’s using the court’s $$$ to pay for this. That’s what other articles have suggested on the other hires he’s done. Also other articles said he stated to the court all his shenanigans were being done because he was concerned how Flynn’s release could affect the election, going agains this sworn duty to uphold the law. He should be disbarred, and removed.
A judge on a case does not get to argue the appeal of one of his decisions to the appellate division. That job is for opposing attorneys. He should just submit the factual affidavit providing for his reasons not to dismiss on his own without legal argument and the appellate division should not recognize any attorney he has hired to make a legal argument for him as he is not a party to the case. The judge is a politically partisan dirtbag.
Wonder when the race card will be played by the judge.
This judge says he likes fine steaks and Cuban cigars.
Of course he does, don’t all Communists?
If anyone other than the judge is paying the lawyer, Sullivan must report it as a gift. Likewise, he must report it as a gift if the lawyer is working pro bono.
Several things:
1) Would love to be a fly on Sullivan’s office wall.
2) Who is coaching Sullivan?
3) Who is paying Wilkerson?
Bump!
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