A federal judge in Colorado has sanctioned My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell’s Colorado attorneys. She discovered the two attorneys misused artificial intelligence in their legal filings. The Colorado attorneys were representing Lindell in a defamation lawsuit brought by a former Dominion Voting Systems executive Eric Coomer. Federal Judge Nina Y. Wang in Denver said sanctions were warranted. Why? She says the attorneys violated Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The court order said the lawyers had failed to reasonably certify AI-generated claims. In addition to defenses and legal contentions in their opposition to a motion in limine.

Judge Nina Wang Throws Down The Gavel

Wang said in her order:

“This Court derives no joy from sanctioning attorneys who appear before it. Indeed, federal courts rely upon the assistance of attorneys as officers of the court for the efficient and fair administration of justice.”

The case alleges Lindell spread conspiracy theories involving the 2020 election and voter fraud. He also allegedly defamed Eric Coomer. Coomer was then Dominion Voting Systems’ director of product strategy and security.

Lindell lawyers, Christopher Kachouroff and his co-counsel Wisconsin attorney Jennifer DeMaster had submitted a brief containing numerous errors. The brief included fake cases and misquotes. In addition, the brief also contained misrepresentations of legal principles.

The court asked about the errors. The attorneys responded by saying they failed to check the filing for errors after using AI. They claim they inadvertently filed a draft of their opposition papers rather than the final version. They also offered conflicting accounts of how the mistakes occurred. Wang also noted the attorneys had filed two notices of errata in a Wisconsin case addressing similar issues. Judge wang also stated the attorney filed notices just days after she issued an order to show cause. Her show cause order asked them to explain their conduct in the case before her.

Wang rejecting their explanations and upheld the sanctions. She said the lawyers were “not reasonable in certifying that the claims, defenses and other legal contentions.” 

As a result, the judge imposed fines of $3,000 on Kachouroff and his firm jointly. She also imposed a $3,000 sanction on DeMaster.

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