The state Bar disbarment proceedings of former Chapman University law school dean John Eastman may be put on hold while he faces criminal charges in Georgia for election interference, according to the hearing officer overseeing the case. This comes after Eastman’s indictment along with former President Donald Trump in a racketeering case that alleges a scheme to overturn President Joe Biden’s election in 2020.
Eastman’s attorney, Randall Miller, argued that his client cannot receive a fair hearing in light of the recent indictment. Miller requested a stay on the proceedings following the federal indictment of Trump, which implicated Eastman as an unindicted co-conspirator. Miller stated that it would be wasteful to continue the hearings when Eastman cannot respond to any questions due to the ongoing criminal case in Georgia.
The State Bar attorney, Duncan Carling, countered that Eastman should have anticipated criminal charges considering U.S. District Judge David O. Carter’s previous ruling that forced Eastman to release emails to the Jan. 6 congressional committee. Carling also highlighted the fact that the Jan. 6 congressional committee referred Eastman for criminal charges to special counsel Jack Smith.
Carling further argued that the Georgia case could take several years to go to trial, causing indefinite delays in the state Bar proceedings. He questioned Eastman’s claim that he did not expect to face indictment given the circumstances surrounding the ongoing investigations.
The hearing’s judicial officer, Yvette D. Roland, acknowledged the significant shift in the case but noted that most of the allegations against Eastman have already been addressed during the proceedings. Roland also pointed out that Eastman did not invoke his Fifth Amendment rights during the relevant activities mentioned in the federal and state indictments.
Miller expressed his intention to appeal if the motion to delay the proceedings is unsuccessful. He also raised concerns about witnesses refusing to appear out of fear that they may face additional legal trouble or have their statements used against them in the future.
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