'Not an honest one in the bunch': Donald Trump trolled as founder of his new defense firm was indicted in Somali fraud case

WASHINGTON, DC: The federal judge presiding over a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit against Donald Trump's 2016 campaign has approved a request from the former president and his team to change their legal representation.

This decision comes amidst a backdrop of controversy as the new legal counsel hails from a Maryland law firm embroiled in allegations of financial impropriety related to the nation of Somalia.

Approval for legal switch

Judge Katharine Parker granted approval on Wednesday, May 8, for the Trump campaign to replace their previous attorneys from LaRocca, Hornik, Greenberg, Kittredge, Carlin & McPartland with a lawyer from Schulman Bhattacharya, LLC.

This move follows the former defense team's request to withdraw from representing Trump and his former top advisers, citing an irreparable breakdown in the attorney-client relationship.

The lawsuit, initiated by GOP operative Arlene AJ Delgado in 2019, alleges pregnancy discrimination after she claimed her responsibilities were stripped following an affair with married adviser Jason Miller.

Initially resistant to the change in legal representation, Judge Parker ultimately allowed the swap to Schulman Bhattacharya, LLC, where attorney Jeffrey Gavenman will now defend Trump, along with Steve Bannon, Reince Priebus, and Sean Spicer. However, one of the founding partners of the firm faces his legal battles.

Jeremy Schulman, co-founder of Schulman Bhattacharya, LLC, was charged by the Department of Justice in late 2020 with using forged documents to gain access to $12.5 million in Somali state assets.

Allegations suggest that Schulman and his co-conspirators manipulated documents to convince financial institutions and the New York State Comptroller that they could rightfully access Somalia's frozen assets. It's claimed that Schulman diverted $3.3 million in fees and expenses for his firm in the process.

Despite these legal entanglements, Schulman Bhattacharya, LLC proudly showcases Schulman's work related to Somalia on their website. Gavenman, the new Trump campaign attorney, staunchly defended his colleague and firm against any insinuations of wrongdoing.

“Plaintiff attempts to smear, by association, an entire law firm and the undersigned. This insinuation, based on mere allegations against one member of Schulman Bhattacharya, LLC, is unprofessional and borders on incredulous,” Gavenman wrote in a letter to the judge. “Notwithstanding what may come of the allegations in the indictment, Mr Schulman is presumed innocent, and his immaculate professional reputation and record show such presumption is not only mandatory but well-earned.”

Furthermore, Gavenman stressed Schulman’s recent attempt to dismiss the indictment by alleging misconduct on the part of prosecutors. Schulman contends that the prosecutors presented "false and misleading testimony" to the grand jury. Despite facing indictment, Schulman has continued to practice law, the Daily Beast reported.

Social media backlash

That said, social media was inundated with reactions trolling Trump after his new defense team's questionable past emerged.

"Is there anyone connected to trump whose not corrupt," one posted on X.

"Only the best for Trump," another wrote.

"Isn't it amazing how 'I hire the best people' all ended up indicted for fraud, corruption, or end up in jail?" someone else chimed in.

"It never stops. One crime after another. Not an honest one in the bunch," another offered.

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