Appeals court rules MyPillow's Lindell won't have to pay $5 million 'Prove Mike Wrong' prize
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Minnesota-based MyPillow chief executive Mike Lindell got a reprieve Wednesday over a $5 million award to a man who discredited conspiracies tied to the 2020 election.
The 8th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals reversed a lower court's ruling. The appeals judges wrote in a 12-page decision that a panel of arbitrators went too far in requiring Lindell to pay a man who offered proof that cyber data used by 2020 election deniers was invalid.
In 2021, Lindell held a South Dakota symposium featuring a “Prove Mike Wrong Challenge” that put up a $5 million reward to anyone who could prove him wrong. Lindell is a staunch ally of President Donald Trump.
Software developer Robert Zeidman concluded the data provided wasn't valid and spelled out the reasons in a report submitted during the contest.
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But when he didn’t get the prize, Zeidman claimed breach of contract by the Lindell Management LLC entity set up to run the event. He went to arbitration and after a three-day hearing was awarded the money.
Lindell went to court and lost the first round. But Wednesday’s appeals court ruling takes Lindell off the hook, barring additional court review.
On his LindellTV network, Lindell celebrated the ruling and pleaded for donations to help him in ongoing litigation over election-related matters.
“This is a miracle and it's righteous. They totally vindicated me,” he said of the 8th Circuit’s decision. Lindell stood by the data used in the symposium.
“I prayed for this day,” Lindell said. “This is a turning point.”
Zeidman attorney Brian Glasser maintained that the prior decision held more weight because it came from "three arbitrators who heard all the evidence, including one appointed by Mr. Lindell."
Glasser said next steps were under discussion.
Lindell separately faces hefty legal judgments over discredited 2020 election claims.
