Lawyer Who Challenged Obama’s Citizenship Fined for Frivolous Suit

[WSJ_law_blog]

Last week, the LB filled you in on the fascinating Russian-accented, mascara-appointed dentist and lawyer who is one of the leaders in the movement to challenge President Obama’s citizenship.

As this Washington Post story explained, the woman, Orly Taitz, managed to royally tick off U.S. District Judge Clay D. Land, who issued a 43-page opinion, denouncing her efforts as frivolous litigation. The WaPo’s Liza Munday writes:

“Unlike in Alice in Wonderland, simply saying something is so does not make it so,” Land wrote scathingly in his order dismissing the action. Singling out Taitz for criticism, he accused her of using the legal system to further a political agenda.

Taitz, breathtakingly, reacted by accusing the judge of treason and comparing herself to Nelson Mandela. She fired off a response that suggested the judge was bowing to “political pressure” and “external control.” Land promptly issued another order requiring Taitz to tell him why he should not fine her $10,000 as a sanction for her misconduct. Today, a copy of that order lies on the floor of her car.

This week, Judge Land lowered the boom and $10,000 would have let her off easy. Instead, he doubled that amount “as a deterrent to prevent future misconduct and to protect the integrity of the court.” Taitz told the Fulton County Daily Report (no link available) that the order was an “absolute outrage.” Here’s the AP story. [End of post.]