An attorney representing Kari Lake in a case that sought to overturn her loss to Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs in Arizona’s 2022 gubernatorial election has been suspended from practicing law for lying to the state Supreme Court.
In a filing with the Supreme Court, Bryan Blehm claimed it was an “undisputed fact” that tens of thousands of fraudulent ballots were injected into the election.
“Although Lake may have permissibly argued that an inference could be made that some ballots were added, there is no evidence that 35,563 ballots were and, more to the point here, this was certainly disputed by the Respondents,” according to an order authored by Chief Justice Robert Brutinel ordering Blehm to pay $2,000 in sanctions. “The representation that this was an ‘undisputed fact’ is therefore unequivocally false.”
The statement also led to a complaint with the State Bar of Arizona, which asked a disciplinary panel to suspend Blehm from practicing law in the state for six months plus one day.
The length of the suspension request by the Bar is important, because attorneys suspended for over six months face a high burden when applying for reinstatement when the suspension is over.
“A lawyer who is suspended for more than six months must apply for reinstatement and undergo a rigorous investigative process and evidentiary hearing,” according to an order issued by a disciplinary panel that includes a judge, attorney and member of the public. “Among other things, such a reinstatement applicant must prove his or her rehabilitation by clear and convincing evidence.”
Though the panel acknowledged that Blehm “violated core ethical duties owed to the legal system and to the profession,” it chose to impose a shorter 60-day suspension followed by a one-year probation.
“Respondent has steadfastly refused to acknowledge any misconduct or even negligent missteps,” according to the order.
Blehm continues to make public statements and social media posts repeating disproven claims of widespread election fraud in Arizona.
But the panel decided on the the shorter suspension, which carries a less onerous reinstatement process, because it was Blehm’s first time being disciplined by the State Bar of Arizona.
“Ultimately, though, the hearing panel concludes that a long-term suspension is excessive for a first offense that, while serious, involved relatively isolated and easily detectable misstatements,” according the order. “Should Respondent engage in future ethical misconduct, though, a harsher sanction may well be warranted.”
Blehm did not respond to a request for comment.
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