Judge Williams Bars Trump’s $1.8 Billion IRS Deal, Refers 4 Lawyers for Sanctions
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Jul 13
Judge Williams Bars Trump’s $1.8 Billion IRS Deal, Refers 4 Lawyers for Sanctions
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Jul 13
Summary
Kathleen Williams ruled Trump’s IRS lawsuit was never a real dispute, barred parties from citing their private settlement in future proceedings, and sent copies of her order to disciplinary authorities.
The judge said the case was used to legitimize a deal that would have shielded Trump, his sons and affiliated businesses from past tax claims while initially proposing a nearly $1.8 billion taxpayer-funded compensation fund.
Four lawyers were targeted in the fallout: acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, DOJ official Stanley Woodward and Trump lawyer Alejandro Brito were referred for possible discipline, while Daniel Epstein’s practice in South Florida was restricted.
The Justice Department rejected the collusion finding and said Trump sued in his personal capacity over the leak of his tax returns, but Williams said officials stayed silent because their position would not survive judicial scrutiny.
The ruling deepens scrutiny of a settlement struck after Trump withdrew his $10 billion suit over the tax-return leak, and it clouds whether the deal’s promised tax protections can still be used.