MyPillow CEO hit with legal fees, costs

MyPillow Inc. CEO Mike Lindell was ordered to pay legal fees and costs incurred by a voting technology firm that he accused in a lawsuit of rigging the 2020 presidential election.

A federal judge in Washington on Thursday imposed sanctions on Lindell and his former lawyers as part of a decision throwing out his defamation lawsuits against Dominion Voting Systems Inc. and Smartmatic Corp., which were falsely placed at the center of a conspiracy theory after the election.

Lindell, an ally of former President Donald Trump, sued after the companies sued him for defamation over his election-fraud claims. U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols said the CEO failed to properly allege a conspiracy by the two companies or back up his claim that they defamed him. The judge also partially granted Smartmatic’s motion for sanctions and fees. The amount will be determined later.

“The Court agrees with Smartmatic that Lindell has asserted at least some groundless claims,” Nichols said. More than one claim “falls on the frivolous side of the line.”

Lindell said he’ll decide later whether to appeal because he is busy challenging the continued use of Dominion and Smartmatic voting machines across the United States. “Whatever the judge thinks, that’s his opinion,” he said.

Lindell’s claims against Smartmatic were “a waste of everyone’s time,” said J. Erik Connolly, a lawyer for the company. He said Smartmatic’s defamation suits against Lindell and others “have merit, and we look forward to litigating those cases.”

Dominion’s claims also remain pending.