D.C. Panel Recommends Rudy Giuliani Disbarment Over 2020 Election Fraud Claims

Topline

A legal disciplinary panel in Washington, D.C., motioned Friday to have Rudy Giuliani disbarred for his work in attempting to overturn 2020 election results in Pennsylvania to favor former President Donald Trump, marking the latest legal headache for the former New York City mayor over pushing the ex-president’s false election fraud claims.

Key Facts

The three-member Bar Association panel, which reviews ethics and misconduct, unanimously voted for Giuliani’s disbarment, saying: “He sought to disrupt a presidential election and persists in his refusal to acknowledge the wrong he has done.”

According to the 38-Page D.C. Bar report, Giuliani contended that he should only receive an “informal admonition of reprimand, or at most, a 3–day suspension” if found to have violated any rules.

After the recommendation of disbarment, the full D.C. Bar board will review the claims and hold its own vote—if it favors disbarment, the case will then be reviewed by the D.C. Court of Appeals, which will make a final decision.

If Giuliani is disbarred, he cannot apply for reinstatement until five years from the effective disbarment date.

According to Giuliani’s lawyer, Barry Kamins, they will be filing a “vigorous” appeal against the court’s recommendation.

Key Background

Giuliani was one of many lawyers Trump enlisted to represent him in his attempts to overturn the 2020 election. During his role as Trump’s lawyer, he attempted to reverse presidential election results in Pennsylvania by embellishing reports of election fraud, and handling post-election litigation to challenge results, according to the D.C. Bar. Attorney misconduct hearings for Giuliani’s involvement in attempting to overturn election results were held in D.C. from December 5-8 last year.

Tangent

Giuliani is also suspended from practicing law in the state of New York and is currently facing an attorney ethics review, also related to his litigation to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.

Big Number

17. That’s how many Trump lawyers, including Giuliani, have faced punishment for failed lawsuits filed in an attempt to overturn election results, and promoting conspiracy theories surrounding an investigation into Russian interference in U.S. elections.