E. Jean Carroll should probably wait to start counting the $83 million she was awarded in her defamation suit against Donald Trump.
On Saturday, the former president’s legal team learned of an “insane,” undisclosed “conflict of interest” between Judge Lewis Kaplan, who presided over the whispy-thin case, and Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan (no relation), that will become the foundation of Trump’s appeal.
According to the New York Post, “Trump lawyer Alina Habba said she was unaware Manhattan federal Judge Lewis Kaplan and Carroll’s lawyer Roberta Kaplan worked together in the early 1990s at the same powerhouse white-shoe law firm until Saturday, when asked about it by Post columnist Charles Gasparino, who was told by a source that the judge was once Roberta Kaplan’s ‘mentor.'”
“It was never disclosed. It’s insane and so incestuous,” Habba said, insisting neither the 79-year-old judge nor Roberta Kaplan, 57, who aren’t related, disclosed the “conflict of interest” and a violation of judicial ethics rules.https://t.co/tOZ4KhXA55
— Lily_West✡️️⚖️ (@Ihave2Standards) January 28, 2024
According to her LinkedIn page, Roberta Kaplan spent more than 24 years between 1992 and 2016 at Paul, Weiss Rifkin, Wharton & Garrison in Midtown. In 2017, she became a founding partner of Kaplan Hecker & Fink.
“During her early years at Paul Weiss, she worked as [an] associate of the firm at the same time as Judge Kaplan, who was a partner there until 1994 when he was appointed to the federal bench by then-President Bill Clinton,” The Post reports.
“It was never disclosed,” Habba said. “It’s insane and so incestuous.”
It’s also a violation of judicial ethics rules.
“This is news to us,” Habba said. “We are going to include this in our appeal and take appropriate measures. The fact it wasn’t disclosed is an ethics violation.”
Zak Sawyer, a spokesperson for Roberta Kaplan, dismissed the claim.
“They overlapped for less than two years in the early 1990s at a large law firm when he was a senior partner and she was a junior associate and she never worked for him,” he stated.
A former Paul Weiss partner, who wished to remain anonymous, begged to differ. Roberta Kaplan, like all ambitious associates, did her best to make an impression on the firm’s partners, including Lewis Kaplan.
“Lew was her mentor,” the former partner said.
As BizPac Review reported, prior to the explosive revelation about the Kaplans’ connection, Habba condemned the politically motivated proceedings.
“That is why so many Americans are so proud that he is running again and so excited to run to the ballot box,” she told reporters following the shocking verdict. “But, don’t get it twisted. We are seeing a violation of the justice system. Ladies and gentlemen, you are not allowed to be stripped of every defense you have.”
‘So don’t get it twisted!’ Feisty Trump lawyer speaks out after defamation trial https://t.co/ZmLHG9OCP4 via @BIZPACReview
— BPR based (@DumpstrFireNews) January 27, 2024
In true Trump fashion, the GOP frontrunner made clear his thoughts on the trial.
“There is no longer Justice in America,” he declared on Truth Social. “Our Judicial System is Broken and Unfair!”
On X, many agreed with the former president.
“Who’s surprised that once again they’re playing dirty to get Trump?” asked one user.
“Of course the Judge was biased,” fumed another.
“That nullifies the case right there,” stated a third. “Clear conflict of interest.”
I hope E Jean Carroll didn’t start counting her money because it’s not looking good for her team! The Trump team has now learned that the Judge worked with and was a mentor for the attorney representing Carroll.
In the 90’s Judge Lewis Kaplan worked with Carroll’s attorney and… pic.twitter.com/B3bFWRcG5T
— Travis (@Travis_in_Flint) January 28, 2024
Of course the Judge was biased.
— Todd Louder (@DryOldFox1) January 28, 2024
That nullifies the case right there. Clear conflict of interest
— Washingtons ghost (@hartgoat) January 28, 2024
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.