Staff Reports
Former President Donald Trump's legal team is set to appeal the $83.3 million decision in the defamation lawsuit filed by E. Jean Carroll. They argue an alleged "insane" conflict of interest with the presiding judge, claiming unawareness of Judge Lewis Kaplan's previous mentoring of Roberta Kaplan, Carroll's lawyer, in the 1990s. The jury awarded an additional $83.3 million to Carroll, who accused Trump of sexual assault and defamation.
Led by attorney Alina Habba, Trump's legal team contends that the past relationship between the judge and Carroll's lawyer was not disclosed and describes it as "insane and so incestuous." It's important to note that despite their similar last names, the two lawyers are not related.
Trump to Appeal E. Jean Carroll Ruling over Alleged ‘Insane’ Conflict of Interest https://t.co/XVDTnFJ2cQ
— AvaArmstrong,🇺🇸Author (@MsAvaArmstrong) January 29, 2024
The conflict-of-interest allegations originated from an anonymous former partner at the law firm where Roberta Kaplan and Judge Kaplan previously worked together. The source claimed that Roberta Kaplan went to extra lengths to impress managing partners. It was reported that she worked with the judge at a law firm in Manhattan before becoming a founding partner at her current firm.
Roberta Kaplan's representative, Zak Sawyer, refuted the claims, stating that she and the judge barely knew each other, overlapping for less than two years at the law firm, and she never worked for him.
Trump's legal team's decision to appeal underscores concerns about the trial's fairness and raises questions about potential bias from the presiding judge. Ensuring an impartial and transparent legal process is crucial, and any conflicts of interest should be appropriately addressed.
