An emotional Mike Lindell said in court Wednesday that he is unable to pay sanctions to voting software company Smartmatic because he has fallen on hard times financially.
Smartmatic sued Lindell, the CEO of MyPillow, for defamation over his baseless claims that the company colluded with Democrats to rig the 2020 presidential election against Donald Trump.
Lindell filed a countersuit which a judge called “frivolous” and ordered him to pay $56,369 in sanctions to Smartmatic.
Smartmatic filed a motion last month to hold Lindell in contempt, alleging that he is refusing to pay the fine. But, a teary-eyed Lindell said in court Wednesday that he’s broke.
“I’m in ruins,” Lindell told U.S. District Court Judge Carl Nichols. The MyPillow CEO claims he has no money left after facing years of “lawfare” waged against him for trying to “secure the election,” ABC News reported.
“I borrowed everything I can. Nobody will lend me any money anymore,” Lindell claimed. “I can’t turn back time … but I will tell you, I don’t have any money.”
Lindell also claimed he was forced to let hundreds of his employees go, lost multiple MyPillow warehouse units and owes millions of dollars to the IRS.
He claimed he has “nothing” except for two houses, which he says are in the process of being liquidated, and a truck, according to ABC News.
Lindell also said he can no longer follow through on a previous plan to make $5,000 monthly payments to Smartmatic and asked Judge Nichols to postpone payments until after a final judgement is issued in the case.
Judge Nichols gave Lindell until Friday to provide the court with proof that he is bankrupt.
“I have nothing to hide,” Lindell said. “I want Smartmatic to see the financial situation I am in as well.”
Boo hoo
He was another fool who gave “all” to Trump. Ruined. Do you think Trump cares? Trump is a “user.”