Remember how Jesus once said not to try to pull a speck out of someone else's eye when there's a plank in yours? Well, Larry Klayman, formerly of Judicial Watch, would do well to heed that adage. Apparently Klayman has devoted so much energy to high-profile (and meritless) lawsuits that he forgot about the case of Natalia Humm. Back in 2007, Humm was indicted on federal charges of arranging several sham marriages to help immigrants stay in this country. Klayman took Humm's case for a $24,000 retainer--and apparently didn't do any legal work. A mediator ordered Klayman to pay Humm $5,000--but Klayman initially claimed he couldn't pay because he's broke.
In a letter to the Florida Bar, Klayman lamented:
I have and have had very little funds, as my financial situation continues to be dire. I do not own any investments or retirement plans and just have a few pieces of jewelry and clothing, a television, a radio, a bed and clothing and shoes. I rent my apartment. The jewelry is a watch which is of negligible value, and consists of a watch and a ring valued currently under $200.00.
He added: "I cannot afford bankruptcy counsel, having been asked for a
$5000.00 retainer which I cannot afford."
Read the Florida Bar's complaint here. The dispute was initially sent to mediation in 2009, at which Klayman agreed to the $5,000 payment. However, he only paid half the amount. And yet, in the time that Klayman pleaded poverty, he somehow found the time to try to have Hillary Clinton removed as Secretary of State, sue Facebook for not removing an anti-Israel page fast enough and represent Bradlee Dean in his slander suit against Rachel Maddow.
Klayman has since paid back Humm. However, this isn't the first time Klayman has gotten in trouble for not abiding by financial obligations. He was also licensed to practice in Pennsylvania, but his license is currently on administrative suspension.
Oh Schadenfreude, oh Schadenfreude ...