Supreme Court rejects appeal from Trump-allied lawyers over 2020 election lawsuit in Michigan

The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by Sidney Powell and other lawyers linked to former President Donald Trump over $150,000 in penalties they were ordered to pay for abusing the legal system.

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected an appeal by Sidney Powell and other lawyers tied to former President Donald Trump over the $150,000 in penalties they were ordered to pay for abusing the legal system with a sham lawsuit challenging the 2020 election results in Michigan.

The justices made no comment in upholding sanctions against seven lawyers who were part of the lawsuit filed on behalf of six Republican electors following Joe Biden’s victory over Trump in the state by 154,000 votes.

Among the attorneys is L. Lin Wood, whose name was on the lawsuit. Wood has insisted he had no role other than telling Powell he would be available if she needed an experienced trial attorney.

The money is owed to the state and Detroit for their costs in defending the lawsuit. The penalties were initially $175,000, but a federal appeals court reduced them by about $25,000.

In October, Powell pleaded guilty to criminal charges in Georgia over her efforts to overturn Trump’s loss in the state. She pleaded guilty to six felonies charging her with conspiracy to deliberately disrupt the performance of election duties.

Powell gained notoriety for saying in November 2020 that she would “release the Kraken,” invoking a mythical sea monster as she spoke about a lawsuit she planned to file to challenge the results of the presidential election.