Orly Taitz

'Birther' Orly Taitz Mulling Senate Run Because She Speaks Spanish And Hebrew

Ryan J. Reilly | September 19, 2011, 12:32PM

Orly Taitz

So-called "birther queen" Orly Taitz is considering running for Sen. Dianne Feinstein's seat in 2012.

"I think I do have a chance specifically because I do speak Spanish and I speak Hebrew," Taitz told the Sacramento Bee following a town hall event on Latino issues at the California Republican Party convention.

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Joseph Farah

After-Birthers: How Conspiracy Theorists Reacted To Obama's Long-Form Birth Certificate

Ryan J. Reilly | April 28, 2011, 8:21AM

Now that President Barack Obama's legal team went out of its way to get a copy of Obama's so-called long-form birth certificate, it's time for the birthers to eat crow, right? Not so much. It hasn't taken long for members of the "birther" movement to grab their backup plans.

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Donald Trump

Orly Taitz: Obama's Long-Form Birth Certificate Should Say 'Negro' Not 'African'

Ryan J. Reilly | April 27, 2011, 11:55AM

Orly Taitz

In a development that will surprise no one, it turns out that President Barack Obama's decision to release his long-form birth certificate hasn't quieted members of the "birther" movement who promote the conspiracy theory that he wasn't born in the United States.

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Terrence Lakin

'Birther' Army Doctor's Supporters Soldier On Despite Court Setback

Ryan J. Reilly | December 15, 2010, 10:30AM

After an Army doctor who became a prominent member of the so-called "birther" movement for refusing to deploy to Afghanistan over his doubts that President Barack Obama was born in the U.S. pleaded guilty to one count at a court martial, what will happen to his supporters?

As the court martial of Lt. Col. Terrence Lakin continues for a second day in a military court in Maryland, they're standing by their man. Lakin is fighting off a more serious charge: that he is guilty of "missing a movement" because he missed a flight back on April 12 which would have started his journey to join his unit.

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Orly Taitz

'Unapologetic Birther' Is New MO House of Representatives Majority Leader

Ryan J. Reilly | November 5, 2010, 11:44AM

Missouri State Rep. Tim Jones (R) and Orly Taitz

State Rep. Timothy W. Jones (R-Eureka) of the Missouri House of Representatives was unanimously elected by the new Republican caucus to be the next Majority Floor Leader. Why is that newsworthy? Because he was represented by "Birther Queen" Orly Taitz in a federal case alleging that President Barack Obama was secretly an Indonesian named Barry Soetoro and ineligible to be President of the United States.

Jones was listed as a plaintiff in a lawsuit filed by lawyer-dentist Taitz to obtain an original birth certificate, immigration records, passports and other vital records from Obama.

Taitz is pretty pumped about Jones being in a position of power. "WOW, an unapologetic birther is unanimously elected to be the speaker of MO Hopuse of Representatives!!!" Taitz wrote on her blog. "PLEASE, CONTACT HIM AND DEMAND THAT HE BRINGS THIS ISSUE TO THE FLOOR OF THE STATE HOUSE OF REP-S."

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Birthers

Orly Taitz Claims That Obama Is Undermining Her Birther Case

Rachel Slajda | August 19, 2010, 1:14PM

Orly Taitz

Birther extraordinaire Orly Taitz is still trying to have the Supreme Court reverse a $20,000 fine imposed on her by a lower judge, even after the court denied her appeal earlier this week.

Taitz has filed a "motion for reconsideration" with the court, according to documents posted on her web site, claiming that she has new evidence that President Obama is not an American citizen.

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Orly Taitz

'Birther Queen' Taitz Vows to Keep Fighting After Supreme Court Denies Appeal

Ryan J. Reilly | August 16, 2010, 12:47PM

Orly Taitz

So-called "Birther Queen" Orly Taitz hadn't yet heard about the Supreme Court's decision to uphold a $20,000 fine against her when TPMMuckraker reached her on Monday.

But Taitz told TPMMuckraker she is convinced that none of the members of the court read her request, and that clerks made the decision for the justices. She cited a passage from a book co-authored by Justice Antonin Scalia in which, she claimed, Scalia said that less than one percent of cases are actually read by a judge.

"It was never seen by Justice [Clarence] Thomas, there's not evidence it was seen by Justice Thomas," Taitz said. "I don't believe the Justices read a word of the pleadings." She said she wanted to see the original court document with the signature of a member of the court.

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Orly Taitz

Alito's Plan To Consider Birther Queen's Stay Probably Doesn't Mean He's A Secret Birther

Rachel Slajda | August 13, 2010, 11:57AM

Orly Taitz

Yesterday we told you that Justice Samuel Alito had referred birther lawyer extraordinaire Orly Taitz's request for a stay to the full Supreme Court.

Taitz, who's been fighting a $20,000 fine from a federal judge in Georgia, had applied to the Supreme Court for a stay in an apparent effort to reverse the fine. The application first went to Justice Clarence Thomas, who has jurisdiction over Georgia's circuit. When he denied it, she applied to Alito.

And then Alito referred it to the full court, which a few of our commenters took as a sign of his true sympathies. Some examples:

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Orly Taitz

Alito Refers Taitz Appeal To Entire Supreme Court

Rachel Slajda | August 12, 2010, 6:36PM

Orly Taitz

Birther queen Orly Taitz has spent the better part of a year fighting a $20,000 fine slapped on her by a federal judge for filing frivilous birther lawsuits contesting President Obama's elibility to hold the office. A few weeks ago, she applied to the Supreme Court to reverse the fine.

When Justice Clarence Thomas denied her application, she vowed to apply to each of the other justices in turn. The next justice she applied to was Samuel Alito, who has now referred the matter to the to the entire court.

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Orly Taitz

Birther Queen Tries To Fight $20K Fine At Supreme Court

Rachel Slajda | August 6, 2010, 6:12PM

Orly Taitz

If you say nothing else about Orly Taitz, say she is persistent.

Taitz, birther lawyer extraordinaire, last month tried to fight a $20,000 fine by appealing to the Supreme Court. Justice Clarence Thomas denied her appeal.

So this week, she re-filed the appeal, this time directing it to Justice Samuel Alito instead.

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Birthers

Orly Taitz Loses CA Secretary Of State Bid But Gets 368,000 Votes

Justin Elliott | June 9, 2010, 10:00AM

Orly Taitz

In her bid to be the GOP nominee for California secretary of state, Birther conspiracy theorist Orly Taitz got 368,000 votes -- about 26 percent -- but lost badly to mainstream Republican Damon Dunn, who got 74 percent.

The only question now is: how long till Taitz claims the election was stolen and initiates years of litigation?

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Orly Taitz

Republican Jewish Coalition Hosts Birther Taitz As 'Special Guest' At Annual Bash

Justin Elliott | June 7, 2010, 6:20PM

Orly Taitz

Witness the mainstreaming of Orly Taitz?

The longtime Birther agitator and dentist who is now running for the GOP secretary of state nomination in California was a "special guest" of the Republican Jewish Coalition at the group's "annual summer bash" at the Beverly Hills Hilton Sunday. Also in attendance: GOP heavyweights Karl Rove, former Senator Norm Coleman, and California Senate candidates Chuck DeVore and Carly Fiorina.

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Orly Taitz

U.S. Attorney Threatens Taitz Over Unpaid $20,000 Fine

Justin Elliott | May 21, 2010, 10:54AM

Orly Taitz

The strong arm of the law is after Orly Taitz.

In a letter the Birther attorney says she received May 17, a Georgia U.S. Attorney demands that she pay a $20,000 fine -- imposed by a frustrated judge in October after Taitz made repeated frivolous filings -- or else the U.S. will "pursue enforced collection action against you."

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Health Care Reform

Taitz Challenges Constitutionality Of Health Reform: It Blocks My Right To Practice Dentistry

Justin Elliott | March 24, 2010, 8:57AM

Orly Taitz

Joining a distinguished group of state attorneys general in challenging the constitutionality of the health reform legislation, now comes Orly Taitz, who in a new federal court filing argues that the bill violates her "right" to practice dentistry.

Along with her lawyerly pursuits, Taitz operates a dental office in Rancho Santa Margarita, California.

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Orly Taitz

California Bar Now Investigating Orly Taitz

Justin Elliott | March 19, 2010, 9:41AM

Orly Taitz

The State Bar of California is investigating Orly Taitz, a process that could ultimately result in the Birther attorney's disbarment, Taitz and her lawyer confirmed to TPMmuckraker.

The investigation was prompted at least in part by a sanction for professional misconduct against Taitz in a Birther case in federal court in Georgia. Taitz continues to fight the $20,000 fine, which was imposed on her for making frivolous filings.

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Birthers

Appeals Court Upholds $20,000 Fine Against Orly Taitz

Justin Elliott | March 16, 2010, 8:50AM

Orly Taitz

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has rejected Orly Taitz's appeal of the $20,000 fine imposed on her for making frivolous filings in a long-running Birther case.

"We have fully considered Taitz's arguments," the ruling from a three-judge panel reads. "We find them unpersuasive and therefore affirm the district court's sanctions judgment."

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Birthers

Taitz Uses Appeal Of $20K Fine To Further Birther Crusade

Justin Elliott | February 15, 2010, 11:45AM

Orly Taitz

Attorney Orly Taitz has found a way to turn the $20,000 fine levied against her for frivolous legal filings into an opportunity to prove that President Obama was not born in the U.S.

Taitz tells birther-friendly WorldNetDaily she has filed a request with a federal judge in Washington to force Obama to give up his birth documents because she needs them in the appeal of her fine, which was imposed in October as part of a case in Georgia.

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Orly Taitz

Birther Queen Files 'Orly Taitz v. Barack Hussein Obama,' Says She's Mulling Run For Office

Rachel Slajda | January 28, 2010, 1:10PM

Orly Taitz

Orly Taitz, the dentist and lawyer whose birther lawsuits we've been following, filed a new suit in D.C. District Court Wednesday: Dr. Orly Taitz v. Barack Hussein Obama.

The suit, like Taitz's others, claims President Obama is not a U.S. citizen and demands his birth certificate.

It also alleges that Attorney General Eric Holder has ignored her allegations and calls to the Justice Department -- a "game of hide and seek," she says, that's "infantile at best and treasonous at worst."

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Birthers

Orly Taitz Seems To Suggest Call To Arms Against Obama

Ben Frumin | December 28, 2009, 7:05PM

Orly Taitz

In a blog post on her website titled "It might be time now," birther queen Orly Taitz seemed to suggest today a call to arms against President Obama.

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Romance Among The Birthers

Ex-Ally Blasts Taitz's 'Treachery' To Him, Birther Cause

Justin Elliott | December 28, 2009, 3:00PM

Orly Taitz

Via the Washington Independent: Topping off a very bad year, it appears that Orly Taitz has now lost another ally, a fellow Birther who is claiming he was romantically involved with the married Taitz.

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Birthers

Orly Taitz And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Year

Justin Elliott | December 24, 2009, 2:43PM

Orly Taitz

When we began following Orly Taitz's Birther litigation back in September, we never thought we'd end up with her cell phone on speed dial.

Well, it turned out to be the beginning of a beautiful relationship. But the last year (OK, fine, half year) has been full of bumps and setbacks for the attorney/dentist who is the country's most prominent purveyor of the conspiracy theory that President Obama is not a natural born U.S. citizen.

Here, in chronological order, are some of the low points of Taitz's year:

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Birthers

Orly Taitz Fires Opening Salvo In Appeal Of Never-Ending Birther Case

Justin Elliott | December 17, 2009, 3:40PM

Orly Taitz

In Part CCXXIV of our ongoing series, Orly Taitz's epic Birther lawsuit has now shifted to an appeal of a federal judge's decision to fine Taitz $20,000 for frivolous filings.

In a surprise move, it appears that Taitz has allowed another, considerably more cool-headed attorney -- Jonathan Levy of South Carolina -- to draft the opening brief filed this week in the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Levy's name appears on the brief alongside Taitz's and he sent the brief to the court.

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Orly Taitz

New Orly Taitz Filing (In Dismissed Case): I Get Death Threats Daily

Justin Elliott | December 3, 2009, 4:33PM

Orly Taitz

Birther leader Orly Taitz, who may be the hardest working lawyer in the country, isn't letting a little issue like the dismissal of her case get in the way of submitting new filings in court.

The Orange County Register has the rundown of her latest effort, which comes in a Birther case in which she allegedly suborned perjury. A judge in California threw out the case in late October.

With the new filing, she submitted a putative immigration form showing Barack Obama's ethnic code listed as "Equatorial Guinea." And she lashes out against a "well orchestrated effort ... to assassinate my character," saying she receives death threats on a daily basis.

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Birthers

Judge Directs US Attorney To Collect $20K From Orly Taitz After Failure To Pay Fine

Justin Elliott | November 13, 2009, 9:25AM

Orly Taitz

A federal judge in Georgia has ordered the US Attorney to collect a $20,000 judgment against Orly Taitz after the Birther attorney failed to pay the fine -- which she appealed -- within 30 days.

Here's the full order from Judge Clay Land, of the US District Court in the Middle District Of Georgia:

"Orly Taitz has failed to pay the $20,000.00 sanction ordered by the Court on October 13, 2009. Accordingly, the Clerk is ordered to enter final judgment in favor of the United States of America and against Orly Taitz in the principal amount of $20,000.00. The United States Attorney is authorized and directed to collect the judgment as provided by law.
IT IS SO ORDERED, this 13th day of November, 2009. "

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Birthers

Affidavit In Birther Suit Contains Extraordinary Claims Against Orly Taitz

Justin Elliott | November 12, 2009, 11:59AM

Orly Taitz and Lucas Daniel Smith

An affidavit from conspiracy theorist Lucas Smith filed in a now-dismissed Birther lawsuit details charges that attorney Orly Taitz, among many other things, asked Smith to perjure himself. The federal judge in the case has said he was "deeply concerned" about the charges, along with similar claims from at least one other prospective witness.

Lucas Smith, a Birther activist whose past claims have been debunked by even Birther-friendly WorldNetDaily, claims Taitz wanted him to falsely say in court that an incident where he was almost hit by a car in Los Angeles amounted to an "attempt on my life" by operatives sent by President Obama.

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Orly Taitz

Judge Wonders Aloud If Orly Taitz Suborned Perjury

Justin Elliott | November 2, 2009, 5:05PM

Orly Taitz

Others have already noted this passage from a smack-down ruling against Orly Taitz in a California Birther suit last week. But it's worth highlighting that the judge in the case suggested Taitz may have suborned perjury.

Check out these sentences from the lengthy order by Judge David Carter of the U.S. District Court in the Central District of California:

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Orly Taitz

Judge Dismisses Taitz Birther Suit

Rachel Slajda | October 29, 2009, 1:52PM

Orly Taitz

A U.S. District Court judge has dismissed one of Orly Taitz's birther lawsuits, saying it would be unconstitutional for the courts to "effectively overthrow a sitting president."

In his ruling, Judge David O. Carter said the plaintiffs, represented by Taitz, had asked the courts to go outside their constitutional power by demanding President Obama produce further documentation proving he was born in the United States, and if he couldn't, shutting down the federal government and holding an election.

"Plaintiffs have attacked the judiciary, including every prior court that has dismissed their claim, as unpatriotic and even treasonous for refusing to grant their requests and for adhering to the terms of the Constitution which set forth its jurisdiction," Carter wrote. "Respecting the constitutional role and jurisdiction of this Court is not unpatriotic."

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Birthers

Birther Taitz Decries 'Political Lynching' In New Filing Against Judge's $20K Fine

Justin Elliott | October 21, 2009, 9:13AM

Orly Taitz

In a colorful eight-page filing, Birther attorney Orly Taitz declares that she will appeal a federal judge's $20,000 fine, which she was ordered to pay within 30 days last week.

In his lengthy order imposing the fine, Judge Clay Land promised to authorize the U.S. Attorney to "to commence collection proceedings" if Taitz did not pay the fine. So stay tuned -- we may be building up to some kind of climactic final showdown.

Here's a taste of Taitz's latest (bolded text in original):

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Orly Taitz

Orly Taitz Responds To Judge's $20k Fine: Shove It!

Justin Elliott | October 13, 2009, 11:33AM

Orly Taitz

Reached on her cell phone by TPMmuckraker and informed of the $20,000 fine imposed on her by a federal judge this morning, Birther attorney Orly Taitz responded, first, with laughter.

"So he didn't recuse himself?" Taitz asked, after letting out an extended, nervous-sounding chuckle.

Still defiant after months of legal wrangling and, by our count, three written denunciations by federal district court Judge Clay Land, Taitz said she had absolutely no plans to pay the $20,000 fine.

"Are you kidding? Of course not," she said, asked whether she planned to send a check. "This is a form of intimidation."

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Orly Taitz

Judgment Day: Birther Taitz Fined $20,000 For Misconduct

Justin Elliott | October 13, 2009, 11:00AM

Orly Taitz

Finally fed up with Orly Taitz's repeated frivolous and conspiracy-ridden filings in a Birther lawsuit, the judge in the case has fined the crusading attorney $20,000.

Opening with a quote from Justice Cardozo on the privilege of bar membership, Judge Clay Land of the U.S. District Court in the Middle District Of Georgia goes on for some length -- the order is 43 pages -- explaining his reasoning:

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Orly Taitz

Taitz Alleges Judge Secretly Met With Holder -- And Cites Coffee Shop Sighting To Prove It

Justin Elliott | October 5, 2009, 10:23AM

Orly Taitz

In a 24-page filing littered with all-caps, bold, and underlined text, Birther attorney Orly Taitz is demanding that a federal judge recuse himself in a case that has morphed from a soldier's attempt to resist Barack Obama's orders to what Taitz sees as a prosecution of herself.

Taitz alleges that Judge Clay Land met with Attorney General Eric Holder, who was allegedly spotted at a small coffee shop across from Land's courtroom in Columbus, Georgia, on the day of a Birther hearing. A strange affidavit by one Robert Douglas describes the putative sighting of Holder, sans entourage, who "probably thought he would not be recognized."

Douglas writes:

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Orly Taitz

Judge To Taitz: You're Not Off The Hook On $10K Fine For Frivolous Filings

Justin Elliott | September 28, 2009, 4:18PM

Orly Taitz

Judge Clay Land today granted Birther attorney Orly Taitz's motion to withdraw as counsel for her ex-client, but said he was not authorizing any breach of attorney-client privilege, and reminded her that she still must respond to his threat of sanctions for frivolous filings.

Land, of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, writes in the order today:

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Orly Taitz

New Filing From Birther Taitz: Case Is Now A 'Quasi-Criminal Prosecution' Of Me!

Justin Elliott | September 28, 2009, 9:59AM

Orly Taitz

When we last checked in on the Birther lawsuit Attorney Orly Taitz is pursuing in federal court, Taitz's client, Army Capt. Connie Rhodes, was denouncing Taitz and threatening her with a bar complaint. And the judge had given Taitz until October 2 to explain why he shouldn't fine her $10,000 for repeated frivolous filings.

Now, in a new motion filed Saturday in U.S. district court in Georgia, Taitz "respectfully" requests that she be allowed to withdraw as Rhodes' counsel. (Rhodes, who has deployed to Iraq, already requested that Taitz no longer represent her.)

But here's the twist: Taitz says her motive for seeking to withdraw as counsel is to be able to divulge "privileged attorney-client communications" and to "offer evidence and call witnesses whose testimony will be adverse to her (former) client's most recently stated position in this case."

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Birthers

As Seen On TV! Birthermercial Asks, Where Was Obama Really Born?

Justin Elliott | September 25, 2009, 2:31PM

Gary Kreep

A new birther infomercial running on a CBS affiliate in Texas and elsewhere around the country tells viewers a "got a birth certificate?" bumper sticker can be theirs for the low price of $30.

The 28-minute program -- quite possibly the first ever birthermercial -- features community access production values, heavy use of foreboding strings soundtrack, and standard-issue Birther ideology.

For a $30 contribution, viewers also get a fax sent in their name to the 50 state attorneys general and Attorney General Eric Holder demanding that President Obama produce his real birth certificate.

Here's the TPMtv highlight reel of the infomercial:

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Orly Taitz

Taitz: Ex-Client's Letter Renouncing Me In Birther Case May Be A Forgery

Justin Elliott | September 21, 2009, 1:59PM

Orly Taitz and Capt. Connie Rhodes

Oh sweet irony.

Birther attorney Orly Taitz tells TPMmuckraker she believes a letter sent by her now ex-client renouncing Taitz -- in a case alleging that Barack Obama's birth certificate is a forgery -- may itself be a forgery. It's worth noting that Taitz submitted as evidence in the original filing in the "birther soldier" case of Army Capt. Connie Rhodes a "Kenyan birth certificate" that is itself an obvious forgery.

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Orly Taitz

Army Captain Client Threatens Taitz With Bar Complaint: She Doesn't Speak For Me

Justin Elliott | September 21, 2009, 11:01AM

Orly Taitz

The Orly Taitz "birther soldier" case playing out in U.S. District Court in Georgia finally jumped the shark Friday.

The moment came when Army Capt. Connie Rhodes, the client of Birther agitator Taitz, sent a letter to the judge renouncing her ex-counsel and saying she intends to file a complaint against Taitz with the California bar.

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Orly Taitz

Judge Clay Land v. Orly Taitz, Part II

Justin Elliott | September 18, 2009, 4:38PM

Orly Taitz

Orly Taitz must like the abuse.

Sometime between being thoroughly smacked down by a federal judge and threatened with sanctions Wednesday, then denouncing said judge to TPM as a corrupt puppet, then having a formal complaint filed against her by a fellow member of the California bar for her comments, self-appointed Birther leader Taitz filed a motion in the U.S. District Court of the Middle District of Georgia challenging the judge's order tossing her most recent case.

Now, the judge is threatening her with a fine to the tune of $10,000.

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Orly Taitz

Birther Orly Taitz Faces California Bar Complaint Over Attack On Judge

Justin Elliott | September 17, 2009, 6:45PM

Orly Taitz

Things just keeping getting worse for Queen Birther Orly Taitz. Yesterday, a federal judge not only threw out her latest "birther soldier" lawsuit, but also took the time to demolish Birtherism generally and threaten Taitz with sanctions if she files more frivolous suits.

Now, in response to Taitz's comments to TPM calling the judge corrupt and suggesting he should be tried for treason, a fellow member of the California bar has filed a formal complaint against Taitz.

"I respectfully request that you investigate Ms. Taitz's conduct and impose an appropriate sanction. She is an embarrassment to the profession," writes Subodh Chandra, who practices in Ohio and is also an inactive member of the California bar.

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