(CNN)Lawyers who attempted a class action lawsuit claiming voter fraud in the 2020 election were sanctioned by a federal judge in Colorado on Wednesday for the frivolous, meritless case, a major condemnation of pro-Donald Trump allies' attempts to use the courts to vet right-wing conspiracies.
The attorneys -- Gary D. Fielder and Ernest John Walker -- that filed the election lawsuit in late December 2020 in Colorado federal court now must pay attorneys fees for Facebook, Dominion Voting Systems, the states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Wisconsin, and the non-profit Center for Tech and Civic Life, all of which were named as defendants in the lawsuit, Magistrate Judge N. Reid Neureiter ruled.
Neureiter wrote a scathing 68-page opinion condemning the post-election lawsuit, calling it an "enormous conspiracy theory" and potentially defamatory. The lawsuit had no lawyers or experts that were able to support the claims, the judge noted.
ABC News: Trump loyalist at DOJ circulated draft Georgia letter with false election fraud claims
The ruling on Wednesday marks the first major consequence in federal court to befall lawyers and litigants who pushed President Donald Trump's attempt to undermine the 2020 election result in court.
It could also play into several other proceedings where judges are considering reprimands for Trump's legal teams and those of his supporters.
Read More
The states, Dominion, Facebook and the nonprofit are set to estimate their legal expenses by later this month so the judge can determine sanction payment amounts.
Fielder and Walker did not immediately comment for this story.
A claim in the lawsuit that Dominion had deleted votes for Trump was highly disputed, inflammatory and unverified, the judge also noted. Several other lawyers for President Donald Trump and his campaign repeated that claim in other court cases and are facing possible sanctions and punishment before other courts, and Dominion has sued for defamation.
"The unique circumstances of this case, including the volatile conditions surrounding the 2020 election, the extremely serious and potentially damaging allegations against public servants and private entities, the remarkable request to declare void and ineffective the certification of the electoral votes of several states, along with an extraordinary money demand of $160 billion and the lack of any time pressure, meant that any reasonable pre-filing investigation needed to involve extensive due diligence and the testing of the allegations, including actually talking to human beings, such as the lawyers who filed the failed lawsuits and the experts who submitted affidavits. Under the circumstances of this case, Plaintiffs' counsel did not fulfill this obligation," the judge wrote.
"The public statements from authoritative sources and courts rejecting allegations of widespread voter fraud or ballot-rigging should have been, if not bright red, at least flashing yellow lights warning Plaintiffs' counsel to proceed with caution," Neureiter added. "Instead, they drove through the lights at full speed, even accelerating."
Paid Content
Diabetics: Here's How To Lower Blood Sugar (It's Genius!) Diabetes Freedom
How To Fight Aging Skin (Do This Every Day) Skin Care Guru
Recommended 1/5
Analysis: 35 words that almost certainly will end Andrew Cuomo's political career
Analysis: Marco Rubio just dunked on himself. Bigly.
我们正在寻找 1970 年之前出生的人来试戴新的小巧而犟大的助听器。
Trump asks court to end House pursuit of his tax returns from IRS
Doctors Baffled: Simple Tip Relieves Years of Joint Pain and Arthritis (Try Tonight)
Analysis: 35 words that almost certainly will end Andrew Cuomo's political career
Analysis: Marco Rubio just dunked on himself. Bigly.
Analysis: Marco Rubio just dunked on himself. Bigly.
Read More
Actor Sylvester Stallone Selling La Quinta, California, Villa at a Loss Mansion Global
New Mattress 2021: Prices Might Be Cheaper Than You Think Mattress | Sponsored Links
Doctors Baffled: CDB Oil Relieves Years of Joint Pain (Try Tonight) Health Today
FlakeAir 菲利克空调 这个新可携式冷气可能是2021年最天才的发明
Zenyum 平价隐形牙套，就算係学生都负担得起！
Sponsored Listings Central : Online Jobs in the USA May Pay More Than You Think
Senior Living | Sponsored Listings Retirement Villages Near Central Might Have Seniors Packing…
behealth.space Doctors Baffled: Simple Tip Relieves Years of Joint Pain (Try…
The cost of storage units in Hong Kong might surprise you Storage units | Sponsored links
Central: Cruise Cabins Are Almost Being Given Away 2021 Cruise Offers | Search Ads
Paid Content
我们正在寻找 1970 年之前出生的人来试戴新的小巧而犟大的助听器。 Hearmore.asia Doctors Baffled: Simple Tip Relieves Years of Joint Pain and… iamhealth.cc Former Vice President Mike Pence Buys $1.93 Million Mansion in… Mansion Global 在Central 中的眼袋手术可能对您来说是负担得起的。 去眼袋手术 | 搜寻广告
More from CNN
Simone Biles reveals her aunt unexpectedly died during the… Australian Olympians showed 'unacceptable' behavior on flight Fox News host mocked officer with fake trophy. See his response Analysis: This is the most unhinged Trump rant about the 2020…
Recommended by