September 6th, 2024
By Sandy Fitzgerald
House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik Friday submitted an ethics complaint against the New York judge overseeing former President Donald Trump’s business records trial, seeking an inquiry into whether the judge’s daughter is using the case to benefit herself financially.
In her complaint, filed Friday to the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct, the New York Republican called on the board to reconsider an investigation into Judge Juan Merchan, reported the Washington Examiner.
Stefanik months ago filed an initial inquiry request on complaints that Merchan’s daughter, Lauren, has been using the Trump trial to benefit her fundraising agency, Authentic Campaigns, but the commission rejected the matter.
The congresswoman, a strong Trump supporter, is claiming that “new information has come to light that merits a fresh look” into a potential conflict of interest.
The request cites campaign finance reports that indicate Democrat nominee Kamala Harris’ campaign hired Lauren Merchan’s company after Harris replaced President Joe Biden to top the party’s ticket.
Stefanik said the Appellate Division or the Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics couldn’t have known about the Harris connection when they issued their earlier opinions on Marchan.
Authentic Campaigns is a digital marketing and fundraising company that works with Democrat lawmakers and political action committees.
Stefanik, in her latest complaint, cited a Harris campaign report to the Federal Election Commission that includes a $468 payment made to the company to pay for web hosting.
“This indicates that one of the very first things that Harris did upon taking over the Biden campaign infrastructure is to hire this firm,” Stefanik said.
Her complaint was filed on the same day Merchan delayed Trump’s sentencing on 34 counts until after Election Day, moving it from Sept. 18 to Nov. 26.
Stefanik has submitted other ethics complaints on Trump’s behalf, using the argument that Democrats are using the courts to damage him politically. Most of the complaints have been rejected, while others have not brought any significant changes in his legal proceedings.
