Brief Summary
This article discusses the dismissal of criminal charges against Carolina Amesty, a former Republican lawmaker accused of COVID relief fraud, after she hired Brad Bondi, the brother of Attorney General Pam Bondi, as her lawyer. The case, initially brought by the Biden Justice Department, was dropped months later, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest.
- Criminal charges against Carolina Amesty were dropped after she hired Brad Bondi, the brother of Attorney General Pam Bondi.
- The Justice Department claims Pam Bondi's relationship with her brother had no influence on the case's outcome.
- Brad Bondi previously secured a pardon for Trevor Milton, the disgraced Nikola founder, from President Trump.
Woman Accused of Fraud Hired AG's Brother
Federal prosecutors moved to dismiss criminal charges against Carolina Amesty, a former Republican lawmaker accused of COVID relief fraud. Amesty was represented by Brad Bondi, the brother of Attorney General Pam Bondi. The charges, filed by the Biden Justice Department in January, involved two counts of theft of government property related to COVID relief, carrying a potential 20-year prison sentence.
Brad Bondi's Claim and DOJ's Action
Brad Bondi stated in court papers that the government had ceased its criminal investigation and withdrew its subpoenas. The Justice Department then filed court papers to dismiss the criminal complaint without prejudice. This outcome occurred despite Amesty's claims of political targeting by the Biden administration.
Conflict of Interest Concerns
Amesty's case highlights a unique dynamic where a defendant hires a defense attorney with a familial relationship with the top law enforcement official. A Justice Department spokesperson stated that Pam Bondi's relationship with her brother had no bearing on the case's outcome, asserting the decision was made through proper channels and without the Attorney General's involvement.
Amesty's Defense and Bondi's Reputation
Amesty's spokesperson, Jim Tobin, stated that neither Amesty nor her counsel communicated with the Attorney General regarding the matter. He emphasized that Brad Bondi, regarded as an excellent attorney, presented overwhelming evidence of Amesty's innocence to prosecutors, leading to the government's decision to dismiss the complaint.
Brad Bondi's Previous Legal Victory
The dismissal of charges against Amesty was not the first legal victory Brad Bondi has achieved. He previously represented Trevor Milton, the founder of Nikola, who was sentenced to four years in prison for lying about his electric vehicle technology. Milton later received a pardon from President Trump.
Timeline of the Case
Amesty retained Brad Bondi in December, shortly after Pam Bondi was nominated as Attorney General. The case experienced multiple delays, with both parties citing "active discussions" and seeking extensions to file an indictment. The judge eventually partially granted an extension but noted that sufficient time had passed for the parties to resolve their differences.
Evidence and Allegations
According to a government filing in July, Brad Bondi provided extensive records of alleged exculpatory evidence, including over 500 pages of documents, multiple in-person meetings, and phone calls. Amesty's legal team repeatedly characterized the case as a politically motivated complaint, asserting that the loans in question were obtained appropriately and in good faith.
