Geragos to Represent David Krikorian Against Genocide Denier

LOS ANGELES—Nationally renowned lawyer Mark Geragos will lead a legal team of attorneys from across the nation to represent Democratic Congressional Candidate David Krikorian, in connection with a complaint initiated by Ohio Representative Jean Schmidt before the Ohio Elections Commission.

The Los Angeles based Geragos will be joined by Cincinnati attorney Christopher Finney of Finney, Stagnaro, Saba & Patterson Co. L.P.A. in defending Krikorian against Schmidt’s complaint before the Commission.  In 2006, Finney was the lead attorney who successfully challenged Schmidt for making multiple false statements, including repeated public misrepresentations about having a second college degree.

Schmidt has brought charges against her likely Democratic opponent in the 2010 election for what she claims are false statements made by Krikorian in connection with Schmidt’s vocal opposition to Congressional measures to commemorate the Armenian Genocide.  During the last election cycle, Schmidt received more than $30,000 in contributions from individuals and political action committees advancing the Turkish government’s position to deny the fact of the Armenian Genocide and oppose Congressional measures to commemorate what is widely acknowledged as the first Genocide of the twentieth century.  The trial on Schmidt’s charges is scheduled for August 13 before the Ohio Elections Commission.

“The legal team my campaign has assembled combines the very best of local and national assets,” said Krikorian Thursday.  “Mr. Geragos and Christopher Finney from Cincinnati are accomplished and respected attorneys and I welcome their participation and have complete confidence in their ability to present the truth and prevail in this forum.”

“Congresswoman Schmidt’s complaint isn’t about the 2008 election. It’s about the 2010 election.  She’s threatened by my campaign and is using the OEC to hide her positions and hide who’s funding her campaigns.  Just like she voted to bailout Wall Street while accepting thousands of dollars from the banking industry, she continues to deny genocide while accepting money from Turkish interest PACs.  And, she wants the OEC to make me stop telling people about it,” added Krikorian.

“I stand by everything my campaign did during the 2008 election,” Krikorian said.

Since her election to Congress, Jean Schmidt has become an active and vocal apologist for the Turkish government’s position on the Armenian Genocide and has solicited and received tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from Turkish Americans and affiliated political action committees. David Krikorian has been working to expose the connection between Schmidt’s actions as a Member of Congress and her political contributions.

“Jean Schmidt’s active participation in the Turkish Government’s campaign to deny and cover up this internationally recognized crime against humanity is well documented and readily traceable” said Geragos, who, like Krikorian, is Armenian American. “Schmidt’s mertiless complaint against David is yet another attempt by the Turkish Government and its apologists to intimidate those with the audacity to speak the truth about this ongoing human right violation.  David Krikorian understands that the Turkish Government’s attempt to suppress the truth about the most heinous crime known to humankind transcends the interests of Armenian Americans and is a cause for concern to all those of good conscience. David is a man of principle and despite Schmidt’s specious allegations, remains undeterred in his resolve to bring this important human rights issue to light.” said Mark Geragos who will serve as the lead attorney on the case.