MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell has been compelled to honor a substantial $5 million arbitration award to software developer Robert Zeldman. The ruling confirms the payout for a challenge involving claims of the 2020 election interference.
Lindell, a staunch supporter of former President Trump and promoter of unfounded election fraud allegations, attempted to invalidate evidence of technical data implicating election interference in his “Prove Mike Wrong Challenge.” Despite evidence to the contrary presented by Zeldman, Lindell dismissed the findings and refused the payout, leading to arbitration.
The creator of MyPillow faced scrutiny last year when he offered the multimillion-dollar sum through a business venture, Lindell Management LLC, to anyone who could discredit his collection of network data, purportedly proving external interference from China in the election process.
Zeldman’s rigorous 15-page report rebutted Lindell’s claims, stating the data held no relevance to the election. When Lindell contested the results and withheld the promised reward, Zeldman pursued arbitration.
Initially, three impartial arbitrators assessed and upheld Zeldman’s claim in April, prompting this latest affirmation by U.S. District Judge John Tunheim. The judiciary’s limited role in arbitration matters allowed only a brief assessment of the panel’s actions, not the argument’s content.
Lindell’s response to the judge’s decree remains undeterred as he vows to appeal the decision on behalf of Lindell Management LLC, the entity contractually obligated. However, the judge has given him a 30-day timeframe to settle the award, inclusive of additional interest.
Mike Lindell’s ongoing contention with the election’s legitimacy continues to incite legal repercussions, which now include a substantial financial directive by the American legal system.
