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. 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. The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards. But only certain parts of the Constitution and only some of the time. 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. Griffin returned the funds to Otero County, as officials questioned the legality of the voucher and payment. Congress used the 14th Amendment to disqualify Socialist Rep. Victor Berger in 1919, but not the insurrection provision specifically, and this was not a court decision. A jury will consider this week whether the support group . if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'millionsofcelebs_com-box-4','ezslot_4',121,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-millionsofcelebs_com-box-4-0');Is Couy Griffin married? "There's nothing illegal about that You feel clearheaded now?" FILE - Otero County, New Mexico Commissioner Couy Griffin speaks to reporters as he arrives at federal court in Washington, June 17, 2022. They have a Son Together was born in 2014. Also worth weighing here, Hemel noted, is whether disqualification is an appropriate remedy. Their teams in over 100 countries tell the worlds stories, from breaking news to investigative reporting. Mr. Besides being Mexico County Commissioner, he is also the founder of the group namedCowboys for Trump. Another state lawmaker, then-West Virginia state Del. When local Republican Party Leadership will openly attack average (ie not running for office) citizens to silence their criticism of their elected official we have a HUGE problem inside that party. 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. Struck responded "no" as the lawyer asked whether Griffin had destroyed anything, confronted law enforcement, or taken any action that would put someone in fear. . He shouldn't be punished for showing his pride in his country, Miller said. As perABQ Journal, he was married toKourtnie. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd called the suspect a bad rapper and also compared him to a "baby" at a news conference. 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. 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. Couy is the professional Otero County Commissioner who made headlines in the news after FBI agents arrested him on Sunday on 17 January 2021. The day-long trial is also expected to feature video footage of the January 14, 2021 meeting of the Otero County commissioners, where Griffin addressed his involvement in the Capitol attack. Derrick Evans, was sentenced to three months in jail this summer for committing civil disorder on Jan. 6. Couy isAmericanby nationality as he is a native of New Mexico. In the cross-examination of Struck, a defense lawyer for Griffin used his questioning to underscore that the "Cowboys for Trump" co-founder was not violent on January 6 and did not enter the Capitol building itself. You can learn a lot about someone by the actions they take, not the words they use. 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 . Griffin never complied with the agreement. In 2019, he forged a group of rodeo acquaintances into the promotional group Cowboys for Trump, which staged horseback parades to spread then-President Donald Trumps conservative message on issues such as gun rights and illegal immigration. Couy Griffin, the founder of the Cowboys for Trump group, appeared to turn on the former president . More:Griffin gets guns back, but only at home, Although Griffin's trip to Washington, D.C. in September 2019 was initially for the proper reason of attending a regional county commissioners conference, the reason stated on a travel voucher submitted by Griffin was "meeting with President.". 1 dead, 1 hospitalized after shooting on East Central. Or is she starstruck, with her boy feeling, how did he put it like a Rockstar? The disclosure verifies reporting by ABC journalist and author Jonathan Karl and came in testimony by the liaison officer for Pences Secret Service security detail against the second defendant to face trial in the Capitol attack. Evans resigned shortly after the insurrection and before he was charged, but he has flirted with an attempted political comeback. However, New Mexico State Auditor Brian Colon said the funds, donated to Griffin by G.B. Deputies arrest man in attempted robbery that led to Bernalillo County deputies arrested a man Bernalillo County deputies arrested a man in an armed robbery-turned-gunfight that left his alleged accomplice dead last year in Southwest Albuquerque. 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. 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 . You havent shown he [Pence] ever left the restricted area, the judge told Griffins defense attorney, Nicholas D. Smith. Larry Bollin Net Worth, Age, Height, Weight, Early Life, Career, Dating, Bio, Facts, Isabel Sepanic Net Worth, Age, Height, Weight, Early Life, Career, Bio, Dating, Facts, Alyssa Taylor Net Worth, Age, Height, Weight, Early Life, Career, Bio, TikTok Star, Facts, Lizz Adams Net Worth, Age, Height, Weight, Early Life, Career, Dating, Bio, Facts, Kaique Pacheco Net Worth, Age, Height, Weight, Early Life, Career, Dating, Bio, Facts, Aroha Hafez Net Worth, Age, Height, Weight, Early Life, Career, Dating, Bio, Facts, Mark Tallman Net Worth, Age, Height, Weight, Early Life, Career, Dating, Bio, Facts, Alexandra Whittingham Net Worth, Age, Height, Weight, Early Life, Career, Dating, Bio, Facts. Couy Griffin, a county commissioner in Otero County, New Mexico, speaks on June 17 outside federal court in Washington, D.C., where he was convicted of entering a restricted area during the. Kourtnie Griffin, an Iraqi war veteran, understands "passions for God and country" and believes her ex-husband has a right to express his views, her lawyers said. General Flynn is suing the federal government for $50 million. Last week, Griffin faced criticism after he posted a Facebook live video where he said some Black NFL players should go back to Africa if they wanted to stand for Lift Evry Voice and Sing traditionally known as the Black national anthem as a gesture of solidarity against racial injustice. But this is also a man who beat a "Mom and Pop business" that has 5 kids out of thousands of dollars. But legal experts say the ruling in New Mexico is significant nonetheless especially if it holds up. 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. CNN A federal judge on Tuesday found Couy Griffin, a founder of Cowboys for Trump and the second January 6 defendant to go on trial as part of the Justice Department's massive prosecution,. He was also pastor at New Heart Church in . Griffin also met with then-President Donald Trump on Sept. 12, 2019. For years, Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin has been Donald Trump's most flamboyant supporter in New Mexico, creating spectacles and controversy in equal measure. Manage the news you want to see, read exclusive content and explore other subscriber benefits. Is the only good Democrat a dead Democrat? The testimony resolves a mystery over Pences precise location during the attack, which defense attorneys for Griffin had sought to exploit and won permission from a federal judge in Washington to probe with a live Secret Service witness over the Justice Departments objections. But, he hasnt revealed the identity of his son. Since Jan. 6, activists have sought to disqualify several members of Congress who supported questioning or overturning the 2020 election results, including Reps. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.) Olivers 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. Unlike that trial, which featured felony charges, Griffin was accused only of misdemeanor offenses. Griffin also said the reelection campaign for Trump would distance itself from Cowboys for Trump after Griffin posted the video. 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. What the hell are the donations for exactly? The C4T GoFundMe page states that all monies given will be a direct donation to founder Couy Griffin and will be used as Couy sees fit to move the organization forward, according to records. When asked whether he and Griffin had decided it would be "inappropriate" to enter the Capitol building, Struck replied, "I don't think we discussed that.". "Pretty soon, it was like a huge, amazing Trump rally," Griffin said. Struck received immunity for his testimony. New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Nicole Maxwell / Alamogordo Daily News This would explain why Couys GoFundMe Page has beneficiary as a Deborah Foley, not Couy Griffin or his sister Kayrn Kay Griffin as being the beneficiary for supposedly Couys Legal Fund. In Greenes case, she was forced to testify, but ultimately was not disqualified. You may opt out at anytime. In July 2020, a check from a bank account for Cowboys for Trump was sent to Griffins ex-wife for child support. 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 alleged participation in the January 6, 2021, insurrection. 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 did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Griffin chose to drive his own personal diesel-fueled pickup truck with large C4T stickers on the drivers and passenger side doors, court records state. Photo credit: @AP on Twitter. The regular Otero County Commission meeting that had begun at 9 a.m. and was still underway into the afternoon had recessed to allow him to attend the hearing. Here you have Couy Griffin as Cowboys For Trump not only hiding assets from his ex-wife and son. It should be noted that New York City is over 200 miles north of Washington, D.C., and Griffin had to pass Washington to get there.. Get the latest news delivered right to your email. 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. He acknowledged that Griffin was not criminally convicted of insurrection and there is no evidence that Griffin engaged in violence himself. And Im damn sure no quitter!!". It states his conduct resultedin his banishment from the Mescalero Apache Reservation, that he used county resources for non-commission reasons namely forGriffin's political advocacy companyCowboys for Trump, filing an improper travel voucher and violating the Gift Act when he received approximately $3,500 from a restricted donor to pay back the travel reimbursement from the travel voucher. While Griffin was present at the hearing, he was able to answer to the allegations against him and rebut Committee To Recall CouyGriffin President Paul Sanchez.