A recent ruling by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned a decision that initially awarded $5 million to Robert Zeidman, a computer forensics expert who challenged claims made by Mike Lindell, the MyPillow founder. Zeidman had participated in Lindell’s “Prove Mike Wrong Challenge,” where Lindell offered a monetary prize to anyone who could disprove his assertions that China hacked the 2020 election.
In 2021, Zeidman analyzed the data Lindell provided and concluded it was invalid. However, Lindell refused to pay the award. A panel of arbitrators later ruled in Zeidman’s favor, but the federal appeals court has now decided that the arbitration panel exceeded its authority.
Lindell celebrated the court ruling, viewing it as a victory for his ongoing campaign against electronic voting machines, a cause he claims is under attack through various lawsuits. Despite his legal win in this instance, Lindell recently faced defeat in a separate defamation case in Colorado, resulting in a $2.3 million judgment against him.
Zeidman expressed disappointment with the appeals court decision, emphasizing its implications for voter confidence and the arbitration process. He argues that this ruling could deter people of modest means from using arbitration to settle disputes, as it may embolden wealthier parties to prolong legal battles.
The case originated from a 2021 Cyber Symposium hosted by Lindell, where he promised the reward to anyone who could prove his data, supposedly from the 2020 election, was inaccurate. Zeidman submitted a detailed report demonstrating the data’s inaccuracies, but the contest judges did not declare him the winner, prompting his arbitration filing. The recent court ruling has now nullified the arbitrators’ decision.