A Troublesome Verdict: Judge Orders Steve Bannon to Pay Over $480,000 in Legal Fees
Steve Bannon, the former White House adviser, is in deep trouble as he has been ordered by New York Supreme Court Judge Arlene Bluth to pay his former legal team, Davidoff Hutcher & Citron, an astounding sum of more than $480,000 in unpaid legal fees. This legal battle is about to escalate, and Bannon cannot ignore the hefty bill he is facing.
The dispute began in February when Davidoff Hutcher & Citron filed a claim against Bannon, alleging that they hadn’t received proper compensation for their legal services rendered from November 2020 to November 2022. The firm was determined to hold Bannon accountable for the outstanding debt and refused to back down without a fight.
After careful consideration, Judge Bluth announced her verdict, delivering a significant blow to Bannon. The ruling not only includes the unpaid legal retainer but also covers the legal fees associated with the lawsuit filed against him. The grand total reaches a staggering $480,487.87. Bannon’s financial situation is about to take a severe hit.
Davidoff Hutcher & Citron had been representing Bannon in various legal troubles, including his indictment for defrauding donors in the “We Build the Wall” GoFundMe campaign. Their legal expertise came at a considerable cost, and now it’s time for Bannon to settle the outstanding amount.
Bannon tried to argue his way out of the situation, claiming that he had instructed his lawyers to cease working on his behalf in January 2022. Furthermore, he questioned the entitlement of Robert Costello, a partner at the firm, to legal fees, citing his potential involvement as a witness in a separate case against him. However, Judge Bluth swiftly dismissed these claims, declaring them baseless and meritless.
Judge Bluth explicitly stated that Bannon’s attempts to evade paying his legal fees were unsuccessful. She pointed out that Costello had already filed a notice of withdrawal in the unrelated case after Bannon allegedly told the firm to stop representing him. The judge firmly emphasized that the mere possibility of an attorney being called as a witness does not relieve Bannon of his responsibility to settle his legal bills.
This latest legal setback adds to Bannon’s growing list of troubles. In October, he was sentenced to four months in prison and fined $6,500 for defying a subpoena from the House committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riots. However, his sentence has been temporarily delayed as he continues to appeal the verdict. The legal battles keep piling up for Bannon.
The saga of Steve Bannon’s unpaid legal fees has left everyone astonished. What are your thoughts on his predicament? Should he be held accountable for the substantial amount owed to his former lawyers? Share your opinions and insights in the comments below, and make sure to spread the word about this dramatic legal showdown!
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