Would it be possible for any of the cases regarding voter fraud to subpoena the “evidence” some of these groups (otherwise unrelated to the case in question) publicly claim to have? And would that stop the endless, baseless claims of voter fraud?
For example, if I sue the state alleging voter fraud, could the state subpoena a politician that makes public statements about having evidence of it? I’m not sure if that’s a thing or not? Or to get away from the election issue, if my business is robbed and someone publicly claims that they know who did it and have evidence to back it up, could that evidence be subpoenaed?
Also, why would a group that knows they don’t have any evidence of voter fraud file a lawsuit in which they know they’re going to have to produce said evidence at some point or another? I understand it’s for show. I get that the point is that people will simply see the headlines about a conservative group filing a complaint about voter fraud and never follow up on it, but even if what follows doesn’t make headlines, I have to assume the lawyers involved risk sanctions/fines/disbarment. Are they getting paid enough to make that worthwhile?
If I’m understanding this specific situation, it seems like they filed a complaint with the state and probably assumed nothing would become of it other than some headlines. I’m further guessing they weren’t expecting anyone to call their bluff. But even then, my point still stands. Why file a complaint with the state knowing you have no evidence to back it up. I assume this isn’t perjury, but lying in this situation is probably covered in one way or another. If nothing else, I’ll bet there’s an “I attest that all statements in this complaint are true…” clause in there somewhere.
IIRC, Rudy was disbarred (or otherwise reprimanded) for making claims of voter fraud in public, but saying “this is not a voter fraud case” in court.
In today’s McCarthyism Republicanism, one must explicitly declare one’s fealty to both MAGATism and the Dark Orange Lord; otherwise, one shall not be blessed with receive the manna votes.
At what point does the law permit the district attorney level charges of perjury against these individuals?
From the article, this is exactly what has happened. It likely won’t stop any future endless, baseless claims though, unless the perpetrators of the lies face some kind of punishment.
A Fulton County Superior Court judge in Atlanta signed an order last year requiring True the Vote to provide evidence it had collected, including the names of people who were sources of information, to state elections officials [who were frustrated by the group’s refusal to share evidence with investigators.
In their written response, attorneys for True the Vote said the group had no names or other documentary evidence to share.
The assholes who spread the lies were also hit with a defamation suit, and then briefly jailed for contempt after their refusal to turn over documents.
Well, I’d have to say, it’s probably the stupidity. They stupidly believe there was fraud, stupidly believe all the evidence was covered up, stupidly believe that such cover-ups are easy, and stupidly believe that they’ll uncover all the evidence just as easily, because they’re stupid.
They didn’t file the lawsuit. They just made the accusations for the obvious reasons of promoting the big lie, and possibly (I’m not sure of this) getting a peice of the action on DeSousa’s book and movie which was largely based on their “investigation”. They wisely made no attempt to follow up in court on any of their charges.
The lawsuit came about when the election commission decided to investigate their claims and subpoenaed their evidence.
A State Election Board investigation found that surveillance camera footage that the film [2,000 mules] claimed showed ballot stuffing actually showed people submitting ballots for themselves and family members who lived with them, which is allowed under Georgia law.
The election board subpoenaed True the Vote to provide evidence that would assist it in investigating the group’s ballot trafficking allegations.
…
Frustrated by the group’s refusal to share evidence, Georgia officials took it to court last year. A judge ordered True the Vote to turn over names and contact information for anyone who had provided information, as well as any recordings, transcripts, witness statements or other documents supporting its allegations.
Defamation lawsuit against True The Vote by Konnech Inc. (Election software company)
This is the lawsuit where the assholes from truethevote refused to turn over evidence and were jailed (too briefly) for contempt. I’m not sure where this lawsuit is going, but not far enough… One can’t go to jail for defamation.
Edit: This case is being heard in Texas. The assholes also did not share evidence in Georgia (as above) and they finally had to admit that they had nothing. Nada. Diddly.
Did anyone see The Interview? The movie where James Franco is a celebrity interviewer who gets invited to North Korea to interview Kim Jong-Un? And Kim takes him on a tour of a bountiful grocery store with fat little children to show off how his people live lives of plenty, and later on Franco sneaks off on his own and discovers the shoppers were actors and the food was all made of plastic and it was all a ruse to trick him into not noticing that the people there are starving?
Apparently Tucker Carlson didn’t see it, because he used his trip to Russia to film naked propaganda segments about how Russian grocery stores are full of plenty and everything is so much less expensive thanks to their Great Leader.
It’s clear to see what he’s doing - he’s highlighting the aesthetics of fascism to make it look more appealing to Americans. “Look at these beautiful subway stations! Look at all this cheap food! Don’t you wish WE had a Great Leader who could make all this happen with just a command?”
!!!