Sidney Powell, the firebrand attorney famed for her unyielding defense of former President Donald Trump’s claims of election malfeasance in 2020, has scored a legal victory. The Fifth District of Texas Court of Appeals, comprised of three Democratic judges, has unanimously dismissed all allegations of professional misconduct lodged against her by the State Bar of Texas.
Powell, 68, a former federal prosecutor, rose to prominence for her involvement in high-stakes legal battles and her pivotal role on Trump’s legal squad. She’s been a vocal proponent of the belief that the 2020 United States presidential election was marred by widespread fraud.
In a resounding victory for Powell, the appeals court affirmed the dismissal of the Texas Bar’s case against her, declaring the charges lacked substantial merit. Her legal team exhaled a sigh of relief, stating, “After three years of litigation, the Court of Appeals held the Bar had no evidence Powell violated any disciplinary rule.”
The accusations leveled by the Commission for Lawyer Discipline, an arm of the State Bar of Texas, alleged Powell had breached several Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct. These charges stemmed from her zealous legal crusade to contest the election outcome, which she and many others claimed was tainted by rampant fraud.
Justice Garcia, speaking on behalf of the court, delivered a knockout blow to the Bar’s case. In a decisive memorandum opinion, Garcia affirmed the trial court’s judgment, stating, “the Bar failed to meet its summary judgment burden” and its arguments were “without merit.”
The court specifically refuted claims that Powell knowingly presented false statements or fraudulent evidence in court, finding no evidence to support such accusations.
Last year, Powell reached a plea deal, admitting to six misdemeanor conspiracy charges related to her post-election legal endeavors. These charges involved conspiring to intentionally interfere with election duties. As part of the agreement, Powell must cooperate with prosecutors in ongoing election interference cases, potentially including testifying against co-defendants.
Initially facing more severe charges including racketeering and conspiracy to commit election fraud, Powell saw these downgraded to misdemeanors under her plea agreement. She was sentenced to six years of probation, along with fines and restitution.
For Powell, the court’s ruling signals a green light to continue her legal career, with potential avenues opening up for her to delve back into high-profile political and election-related cases.
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