Lin Wood, an attorney from Georgia, is one of the most vocal supporters of Trump’s false conspiracy theories that the election had been stolen.
Since Trump lost his re-election bid in November 2020, Wood has filed lawsuits claiming widespread fraud and seeking to throw out Georgia’s votes. This includes a complaint that was verified “under plenty of perjury.” Wood later filed an amended verification to correct the typo.
At various rallies, Wood contended that the 2020 presidential election was rigged by Democrats, by China’s government, by the company that made Georgia’s voting machines, and by Georgia GOP officials. Courts have dismissed all of those cases.
Wood has also tweeted that Vice President Mike Pence could be charged with treason and executed. On January 6, 2021, the day of the Capitol mob insurrection, Wood was banned from Twitter.
Image Source: dailymail.co.uk
Even before representing former President Donald Trump, Wood was well known for his representation of clients who believed they were maligned by the government, the media and corporations. They include Richard Jewell, the initial suspect in the 1996 Centennial Olympic Park bombing, for whom Wood obtained libel settlements from several news organizations.
Wood has also accused other officials, including U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts, of conspiring to cheat former President Donald Trump out of a second term, among other alleged transgressions ….
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The State Bar of Georgia acknowledged Friday it is investigating two complaints against Wood and has ordered him to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.
The State Bar of Georgia has a rule that addresses lawyers’ incapacity from mental illness, alcoholism or other substance abuse. when the State Bar disciplinary board determines a lawyer “may be impaired or incapacitated,” it may order medical or psychiatric evaluations and even treatment. The purpose of the rule, of course, is to protect the public from attorneys who may botch their cases, steal their money, etc.
Wood’s recent fling with Trump and conspiracy theories, however, is not the only reason the State Bar is investigating him. Wood’s former law partners filed a suit over the breakup of their firm claiming that Wood began acting erratically in 2019.
“I might actually be Christ coming back for a second time in the form of an imperfect man, elevating Christ consciousness,” an extraordinary footnote quotes Wood telling his partners. “That cause you to have a little bit of a chill? Who would be more eloquent to say what the will of God is, the belief of God in me.”
Wood is also said to have called himself the representative of various Biblical figures.
“I represent Moses,” Wood allegedly declared on tape. “I represent Ananias the believer. I’m like the power of King David. Now look you all, I told you I was going to pray tonight to my God, not to myself, because to me there’s God and there’s me.”
Wood, however, said he would refuse the State Bar’s order — a stance that could result in the emergency suspension of his law license and further discipline. Wood also claims the State Bar of Georgia is violating his First Amendment rights. The State Bar of Georgia, like many State Bars, operates under the supervision of that state’s Supreme Court, and is arguably a government agency.
What do you think? Should a lawyer’s belief in conspiracy theories be a reason for a State Bar to order them to undergo an evaluation?
