"Pretty soon, it was like a huge, amazing Trump rally," Griffin said. Griffin returned the funds to Otero County, as officials questioned the legality of the voucher and payment. The secretary of states office initially prevailed in a June 2020 arbitration decision that ordered Cowboys for Trump to register as a political committee, file expenditure and contribution reports and pay a fine of $7,800. US District Judge Trevor McFadden heard one day of testimony without a jury on Monday before handing down a verdict in the misdemeanor case against Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin, a. Griffin rejected prosecutors offer to plead to a lesser charge and serve probation. Any special treatment given to her because of her Republican leadership position? But she "did not take her minor child to war with her" as Couy Griffin is doing by taking their son to President Donald Trump campaign events during a pandemic, the attorneys said. In bond proceedings but not in Mondays trial, prosecutors have cited videos in which Griffin also said he planned to return armed to Washington for Joe Bidens inauguration with his .357 Henry big boy rifle and single action revolver and rhetorically suggested the blood of political foes could be spilled at the Capitol in defense of the right to bear firearms. Praying for 12 jurors to say in unison "NOT GUILTY"!!. Struck received immunity for his testimony. The ruling comes after lawyers for Griffins ex-wife, Kourtnie, filed an emergency motion in May to modify their custody and visitation agreement. For example, I can be a real asshole in writing. McFadden, a former Virginia police officer and Justice Department criminal division official under the George W. Bush and Trump administrations, earlier admonished prosecutors for a sloppy mistake last year in which they claimed for months in court filings that vice president-elect Kamala D. Harris was also present on Capitol grounds during the attack. Couy Griffin has been reported as one of the men involved in the riots at the U.S. Capitol that occurred on January 6, 2021. Cowboys for Trump co-founder Couy Griffin was found not guilty Wednesday of a misdemeanor charge of failing to register a political committee at a trial in southern New Mexico . "I've had my own family say. Wearing his signature black cowboy hat, "Cowboys for Trump" founder Couy Griffin arrived Monday at a federal courthouse just blocks from the Capitol to stand trial on charges stemming from his . Also worth weighing here, Hemel noted, is whether disqualification is an appropriate remedy. Karl, ABCs chief Washington correspondent, said last November in promoting his new book, Betrayal: The Final Act of the Trump Show, that he had seen images taken by a White House photographer with Pence that day showing where he, his wife, Karen, and daughter Charlotte Pence Bond waited out the Capitol breach. A jury will consider this week whether the support group Cowboys for Trump and cofounder Couy Griffin violated state election law by failing to register as a political organization without filing related public financial disclosures. Griffin has five calendar days to file an appeal to the New Mexico Supreme Court. Nicole Maxwell can be contacted by email at nmaxwell@alamogordonews.com, by phone at 575-415-6605 or on Twitter at @nicmaxreporter. As perABQ Journal, he was married toKourtnie. He acknowledged that Griffin was not criminally convicted of insurrection and there is no evidence that Griffin engaged in violence himself. Couy Griffin, a 48-year-old Republican elected official from Alamogordo, N.M., and founder of a pro-Donald Trump grass-roots group, had challenged U.S. prosecutors to prove Pence's whereabouts . For that official to attack a private citizen who is upset that the County Commissioner for his district is engaging in Fraud is troubling to say the least. The Court concludes that Mr. Griffins crossing of barricades to approach the Capitol were overt acts in support of the insurrection, as Griffins presence closer to the Capitol building increased the insurrectionists intimidation by numbers, wrote Mathew, who was appointed to the bench by former Republican Gov. Otero Commissioners to discuss calls for resignation of Couy Griffin on Thursday, banishment from the Mescalero Apache Reservation, approximately $3,500 from a restricted donor, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. maybe thats the Freudian Slip Couy made when setting up @Baredown C4T FB page, well at least thats better than sister), will tout how Couy, C4T and the GOP are protecting the Constitution. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds - AFP / Getty Images, "Cowboys for Trump" co-founder Couy Griffin speaks to reporters as he arrives at federal court in Washington on June 17, 2022. In a written closing statement in court, he had argued that he had been at the Capitol to lobby vice president Mike Pence to not certify the election results, and that, In no way does that pertain to nor support insurrection/rebellion, reported the Albuquerque Journal. In closing arguments Wednesday, prosecutors argued that Griffin used Cowboys for Trump to explicitly link political advocacy to appeals for online donations while flouting registration and financial disclosure requirements for political committees. You want to say that was violence? Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in more than a dozen counties as the typically warm state digs out from rare snowstorms. That travel voucher was approved and a check was cut to Griffin in the amount of$3,237.48. Last year, he became the first elected official to be banished from elected office in connection with the attack on the U.S. Capitol building, which disrupted Congress as it was trying to certify President Joe Bidens 2020 election victory. . And while circumstances might make that difficult to replicate, its nonetheless a historic marker of what transpired 20 months ago. Couy's ex-wife, Kourtnie, is a 34 years old Iraqi war veteran who was born in the year 1986. I guess one needs to ask whats in this for the Chairman of Otero County GOP? Griffin also met with then-President Donald Trump on Sept. 12, 2019. 10h. Subscribe now to access decluttered news, chosen by you. The dismissed charge against Griffin carried a potential punishment of up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine. Most of these cases fizzled quickly, and none have succeeded. In several high-profile races, those who didnt storm the Capitol but were otherwise involved in the Jan. 6 proceedings have won their partys nomination. New Mexico Supreme Court: Juveniles who plead can appeal adult sentences, Colorado State slices up Lobos; UNM is a 6 seed in league tourney, If it MUST be the NIT, UNM basketball has a plan, After bill was vetoed last year, lawmakers try again to boost pay of NM judges, Gun safe storage bill inches closer to governor's desk after winning Senate approval. As a strategic matter, Im skeptical that disqualification under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment is the best way or even a productive way to fight back against anti-democratic forces across the country, Hemel said. Griffin was convicted in federal court of a misdemeanor for entering restricted U.S. Capitol grounds on Jan. 6 without going inside the building. Since early 2020, Griffin has resisted pressure to register the group as a political committee, including filing an unsuccessful petition with the 10th District Court of Appeals. Bei der Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps verwenden wir, unsere Websites und Apps fr Sie bereitzustellen, Nutzer zu authentifizieren, Sicherheitsmanahmen anzuwenden und Spam und Missbrauch zu verhindern, und, Ihre Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps zu messen, personalisierte Werbung und Inhalte auf der Grundlage von Interessenprofilen anzuzeigen, die Effektivitt von personalisierten Anzeigen und Inhalten zu messen, sowie, unsere Produkte und Dienstleistungen zu entwickeln und zu verbessern. In Greenes case, she was forced to testify, but ultimately was not disqualified. Harrowing video has emerged of a racially charged incident that rocked an elementary school in Springfield, Ohio. Dont miss reporting and analysis from the Hill and the White House. "There's nothing illegal about that You feel clearheaded now?" Couy is the professional Otero County Commissioner who. A jury will consider this week whether the support group . Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin speaks during a presentation led by David and Erin Clements on election vulnerabilities during a special meeting of the Otero County Board of Commissioners . How about that? Griffin said in the video. Some have sought to wield that seldom-invoked provision against members of Congress, without success, and even floated using it against Trump. But the jury wasn't persuaded. Success in the latter scenario remains unlikely, especially in the absence of a criminal conviction. There is an uncomfortable irony when, in the aftermath of that attack, we purport to defend democracy by using the judicial process to deprive voters of their choice of leader. While the decision of a state court isnt binding elsewhere, New York Universitys Daniel Hemel noted, it could embolden similar efforts to disqualify people from office with more direct ties to the insurrection up to and including Trump. Email addresses are used solely for verification and to speed the verification process for repeat questioners. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee, File), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Whether this will ultimately stand up if appealed remains a major question and one that could have far-ranging implications. Griffins disqualification from office is not only retroactive to Jan. 6, 2021; he is also barred for life from holding any civil or military office in the future. Copyright 2023 The Western Journal. Otero County Commissioner and Cowboys for Trump founder Couy Griffin is being investigated by the New Mexico Attorney Generals Office on grounds he violated the Campaign Reporting Act and the Governmental Conduct Act, and that he allegedly committed embezzlement, racketeering, money laundering and making or permitting a false voucher for public funds. Prosecutors had argued that revealing Pences exact whereabouts could endanger future heads of state and other Secret Service protectees at the Capitol, and that agency would not disclose any details for national security reasons. I got a better idea, why dont you go back to Africa and form your little football teams over in Africa and you can play on a(n) old beat-out dirt lot and you can play your Black national anthem there. (Griffin) chose not to take it. They want to talk about playing a Black national anthem before football games? Is the only good Democrat a dead Democrat? He has occasionally surfaced in national news for his violent rhetoric and his efforts to impugn the election results in his home state as recently as this summer.). Otero County Commissioner and Cowboys for Trump founder Couy Griffin is being investigated by the New Mexico Attorney General's Office on grounds he violated the Campaign Reporting Act and the. Stay up to date with what you want to know. . The decision interrupts a string of adverse legal decisions for Griffin, who remains barred from elected office under a judges decision upheld by the New Mexico Supreme Court in February. In a pretrial order Friday, McFadden rejected the first argument, saying many others drawn to the Capitol have been charged and that Griffins leadership role and more blatant conduct at the scene might rationally merit different handling by prosecutors. Once the recall is allowed to begin, the recall petition is taken to Otero County District 2 voters and if 1,661 verified signatures are gathered, then a recall election takes place. But the judge paid close attention to testimony Monday about whether Griffin knew that he was crossing barriers or otherwise entering areas off limits to the public and the reason the barriers were erected. Here you have Couy Griffin as Cowboys For Trump not only hiding assets from his ex-wife and son. Cowboys for Trump . The list includes 69 candidates for governor in 30 states, as well as 55 candidates for the U.S. Senate, 13 candidates for state attorney general and 18 candidates for secretary of state in places where that person is the states top election official. The extra trip to New York City exceeds the scope of the authorized travel, court records state. I will not be intimidated, I will not be threatened, and I sure as Hell wont back down!! Effort to bar Jan. 6 figures from office notches historic win. As a reminder, Chair of the Otero County GOP is an Official office within the party. District Judge Mary Rosner ruled July 14 that Couy Griffin can only see his son on Facetime calls after he ignored orders to remove social media photos of his son at Cowboys for Trump events. Instead, he waived trial by jury and bet his freedom on a bench trial before McFadden, who Trump appointed to the federal bench in 2017. Cowboys for Trump also had a GoFundMe account set up in January 2020 to raise money for legal expenses. Griffin invoked free speech protections in declining to register and disclose the donors to Cowboys for Trump and expressed concern that financial contributors might be harassed. California Gov. Otero County Commission member and Cowboys for Trump co-founder Couy Griffin rides his horse on 5th avenue on May 1, 2020 in New York City. The Otero County Clerk's Office, although not a participant in the recall proceedings, is interested to ensure that, if a recall is triggered, it is done in an orderly and clear fashion "so the voters are clear on the process," Ivey-Soto said. So, we are still unknown about his actual net worth and earnings he receives from his job. He was one of 10 more people to be arrested on Saturday and Sunday. If you dont believe me, ask all those who thought Dennis Rader was such a nice guy. Prior to Griffin's leaving the hearing, Arrieta told him that the Otero County Commission would have a quorum present without Griffin and that this hearing may be more important at this time. But he found that Griffins actions met the standard set forth by the 14th Amendment, citing Griffins violent rhetoric and evidence of his actions at the Capitol. This is America, we play the National Anthem in America today.. I would have wanted him to have the opportunity to argue his points here," Sanchez said. Mr. However, the go Oh, the furs and clothing, nope sorry Couy dont pay for clothing either, my bad. Series of issues initiates Couy Griffin recall effort. Why on earth would someone put their reputation on the line for a person who is being exposed as a fraud and financial scammer? The board ultimately certified the election on a 2-1 vote with Griffin casting the lone no vote. "Several of the defendant's statements in the recording of the meeting constitute either direct admissions that he was illegally present in a restricted area or evidence of the defendant's state of mind during and after January 6, 2021," prosecutors said. Otero Countys financial director told AG investigators that, following a records request for the vouchers and several complaints from citizens, Griffin voluntarily opted to pay the entire $3,237.48 back to Otero County, court records state. Derrick Evans, was sentenced to three months in jail this summer for committing civil disorder on Jan. 6. Magliocca said the issue could arise in a number of ways moving forward and is ripe for the Supreme Court to litigate before Trump might run for and potentially win the presidency in 2024. How Republicans became the party of Trumps election lie after Jan. 6, It is wild to see that he was in a loading dock in an underground parking garage beneath the Capitol complex, Karl said during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. There was no place to sit, no desk, no chairs, nothing.. Arrietaexplained that this case does not warrant a jury trial since the April 8 hearing was most likely to be the only hearing in the case and that a verdict was not to be administered and if a recall petition is successful and a recall election imminent, then the voters of Otero County's District 2 would be the jury. Jurors deliberated for more than nine hours before delivering the verdict. One person is dead and another has been hospitalized after a shooting on Central Avenue near Moon Street, police said Thursday morning. Oliver, the Alamogordo Chamber of commerce Executive Director, were the basis of an investigation. Just dont say anything bad about a scammer politician for the Republican Party of Otero County, otherwise Amy Smith Barela might try to intimidate you too. The motion said Couy Griffin "has publicly. They claimed Griffin was a politician in his own right who clearly advocated for Trump while the president was a candidate for re-election and that Griffin also promoted political positions on border enforcement, gun rights and more. Defense attorney Jonathan Miller said Griffin was just a guy who rides a horse and tried to do the right thing by registering Cowboys for Trump as a for-profit corporation and notifying donors that they cannot deduct donations from taxes. Susana Martinez. Griffin arrived in a cowboy hat, and the trial featured video footage of him on the Capitol grounds. New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Nicole Maxwell / Alamogordo Daily News A copy of the check was included in the warrant packet. "Cowboys for Trump" co-founder Couy Griffin was found not guilty Wednesday of a misdemeanor charge of failing to register a political committee at a trial in southern New Mexico. Now he has regrets., In middle of Jan. 6 riot, Oath Keepers chief reached out to Proud Boys, Kyle Kuzma, Wizards start fast and dont look back in win over Raptors, Nationals relievers see benefit in tinkering with new pitches, Roger Goodell, Muriel Bowser discussed future of RFK site in December call, Betrayal: The Final Act of the Trump Show,, 163 Republicans who have embraced Trumps false claims are running for statewide positions that would give them authority over the administration of elections. Griffin elected to have a bench trial, meaning a Trump-appointed judge rather than a jury of 12 will review the evidence and decide his fate. In a reversal, Biden said he would sign a resolution blocking a D.C. effort to reduce penalties for violent crimes. Regardless, they said the law only requires that Pence was at the complex or "would be" returning to prove that Griffin unlawfully entered a Secret Service-protected area. It would be helpful if they would take this opportunity to rule really for the first time what Section 3 means.. Manage the news you want to see, read exclusive content and explore other subscriber benefits. If this ruling stands up on appeal, it sets a significant precedent for the next election cycle, said Gerard Magliocca, a constitutional scholar at Indiana University who has studied Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. Nothing is more foul and disgusting than hero worship. Last year, he became the first elected official to be banished from elected office in connection with the Capitol incursion. Couy Griffin is one of thousands of Trump loyalists in public office charting an uncertain future ahead of the 2022 election cycle. Couy Griffins career background is not sufficiently transparent as his bio cannot be found on Wikipedia. The disqualification of Berger, for instance, was later widely regarded as overreach. Photo credit: @AP on Twitter. But she did not take her minor child to war with her as Couy Griffin is doing by taking their son to President Donald Trump campaign events during a pandemic, the attorneys said. Couy rarely would make headlines before his arrest. Griffin deniedthe allegations claiming they were"frivolous and devoid of merit," court records state. He began his career in Wild West shows and worked in Paris from 2000 to 2005. At the same time, Griffins conviction was for misdemeanor trespassing, for which he was sentenced to 14 days and a $3,000 fine. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. That's what Otero County's District 2 Commissioner Couy Griffin alleged at a May 17 gathering in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. Cowboys for Trump cofounder Couy Griffin was found not guilty yesterday of a misdemeanor charge of failing to register a political committee at a trial in in Alamogordo, New Mexico. ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (KRQE) -Otero County Commissioner and Cowboys for Trump leader Couy Griffin is proposing to fully reopen his county, breaking the state's public health order. He also said that, if appealed, it could give the Supreme Court an opportunity to weigh in on this question without directly deciding on a case involving Trump. Unlike that trial, which featured felony charges, Griffin was accused only of misdemeanor offenses. In response to the allegations, Griffin said in the April 7 email that "As far as Im concerned I will stand on the same principle Ive stated over and over. But when it was operational, it offered options to donate to the organization by direct donation or by purchasing merchandise.