An ethics complaint has been filed against Vice President Kamala Harris, alleging that her campaign’s financial ties to a firm run by Judge Juan Merchan’s daughter create a conflict of interest. The complaint, filed by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), questions why Judge Merchan did not recuse himself from the Trump hush-money case.
Harris’ campaign reportedly paid $468 to Authentic Campaigns, the marketing firm managed by Loren Merchan, on July 30. This payment came just over a week after Harris was named the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee. Stefanik’s complaint claims this financial connection between Harris and the judge’s daughter raises serious ethical concerns.
According to New York’s judicial conduct code, judges must step aside if a close relative has a financial interest in a case. Stefanik argues that Loren Merchan’s work for Harris’ campaign meets this criterion, and that Judge Merchan’s involvement in Trump’s case compromises his impartiality.
Republicans have long accused Judge Merchan of being biased in cases involving President Donald Trump. This latest revelation has led to renewed calls for an investigation by the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
As Harris and Trump prepare for their respective campaigns in the 2024 election, this ethics complaint could become a focal point in Republican criticisms of the Biden-Harris administration and the legal battles surrounding Trump.
