Pa. Attorney General exploring Pennsylvania lawyers who challenged vote count

Pa. Attorney General exploring Pennsylvania lawyers who challenged vote count

By Sam Dunklau

December 18, 2020

Attorney General Josh Shapiro says his office is exploring sanctions against Pennsylvania-based lawyers who filed cases challenging the state’s vote count.

WITF’s Sam Dunklau has more on what that could mean.

Shapiro made the comment to reporters following this week’s Electoral College vote.

President Donald Trump’s campaign and allies filed 18 separate cases challenging either the vote count or the actions of county and state election authorities.

Almost all of them have been either tossed out or withdrawn for lack of evidence.

Tom Wilkinson of the Pennsylvania Bar Association says lawyers for Trump would have needed to either find evidence or correct their claims:

“Failing to correct it could lead to sanctions imposed by the court and potential discipline imposed by the lawyer disciplinary authorities.”

Wilkinson says court sanctions are rare, but they usually require firms to repay any client fees and for lawyers to take ethics courses.

The AG’s office hasn’t confirmed if it’s following through, but in a statement says those who took on Trump’s cases should be held accountable.

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