Flynn Judge Faces Ethics Complaints After Head-Scratching Move
The federal judge hearing the case of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn made waves Tuesday by saying he would open up the process to hear “friend of the court” submissions from a liberal group despite the fact that the Justice Department has already said it wants to dismiss the case.
The action by D.C. U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan, who was appointed to the federal bench by former President Bill Clinton, effectively puts the government’s effort to drop the charges on hold.
Sullivan said he will, “at the appropriate time,” develop a schedule for arguments against the Justice Department’s plan to drop the case, according to The Washington Post.
Flynn’s defense objected to the stall.
“No rule allows this filing,” attorney Sidney Powell wrote in her own court filing, noting that Sullivan would not accept outside groups’ comments in the past.
“This Court has consistently — on twenty-four (24) previous occasions — summarily refused to permit any third party to inject themselves or their views into this case,” she said.
Powell said courts cannot “usurp the role of the government’s counsel.”
“This travesty of justice has already consumed three or more years of an innocent man’s life — and that of his entire family,” Powell wrote. “No further delay should be tolerated or any further expense caused to him and his defense.”
Flynn Filing by The Western Journal on Scribd
Last week, the Justice Department announced that it would drop charges against Flynn, setting the stage for what Powell said she expected would be a formal action this week to dismiss the case.
However, on Monday, a group called “Watergate Prosecutors” sought to file a friend-of-the-court brief opposing the Justice Department’s plan to drop the charges.
The group claimed it had a “unique perspective on the need for independent scrutiny and oversight to ensure that crucial decisions about prosecutions of high-ranking government officials are made in the public interest.”
Sullivan’s effort to cater to the group’s request was attacked on Twitter by commentator Michael Cernovich, who said an ethics complaint against Sullivan will be forthcoming.
“Judge Sullivan, who denied leave to file amicus briefs when he knew third parties would have spoken favorably of Flynn, now solicits briefs critical of Flynn. This is a violation of the judicial oath and applicable ethical rules. We will be filing a complaint against Sullivan,” he tweeted.
Judge Sullivan, who denied leave to file amicus briefs when he knew third parties would have spoken favorably of Flynn, now solicits briefs critical of Flynn. This is a violation of the judicial oath and applicable ethical rules. We will be filing a complaint against Sullivan.
— Cernovich (@Cernovich) May 13, 2020
Fox News reported that Cernovich might file his own amicus brief.
The “Watergate Prosecutors” group includes Jill Wine-Banks, who is currently marketing her book, “The Watergate Girl.”
Those who oppose the Flynn case dismissal – Watergate Prosecutors member Jill Wine-Banks:
“Mueller can prove conspiracy with Russia beyond any doubt.”
Peddlers of conspiracy theories.
These are the people Judge Sullivan will listen to. pic.twitter.com/6Pv54lOPLy
— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) May 13, 2020
Wine-Banks previously has said that there was collusion between Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and Russia and supported the investigation of former special counsel Robert Mueller, which failed to find any such collusion.
More on Flynn case –
Part of the “Watergate Prosecutors” group who filed a brief opposing the DOJ motion to dismiss is Jill Wine-Banks.
Ms. Wine-Banks is a Trump/Russia collusion nutter who claimed General Flynn would get “immunity for kidnapping”
Good job Judge Sullivan! pic.twitter.com/bgc7bA1elC
— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) May 13, 2020
On Tuesday, Trump retweeted a post that referred to Wine-Banks as a “Trump/Russia collusion nutter.”
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