In re: Suspension of LNC Secretary Caryn Ann Harlos (2024)

Informal: Harlos vs. LNC

Title of appeal petition as filed:

In re: Suspension of LNC Secretary Caryn Ann Harlos

Background

On August 25th, 2024, the Libertarian National Committee (LNC) voted 8-6 to create an investigatory committee to “investigate allegations of misconduct against Secretary Caryn Ann Harlos, which if true cast doubt on her fitness to continue in office, and report resolutions if allegations are well founded.”

On October 6, 2024, the investigatory committee returned a 31 page report (info)

to members of the Libertarian National Committee, but not to members or the public. (Note: This report was apparently treated as confidential at the time, but has subsequently been made publicly available by various people.) Minutes of that meeting are not yet available, but according to the Phillies Petition in In re: Judicial Committee Appeal to Void LNC Decisions of October 6, 2024 (Phillies vs. LNC), "At its October 6, 2024 meeting, the Libertarian National Committee acted on motions on the specifications, charges, and further motions. Motions adopting Specification 2 of Charge 1, Charge 1 itself, the three Specifications of Charge 2, Charge 2 itself, and the two consequent motions all clearly passed."  

On Nov. 9, 2024, the LNC voted to suspend (remove) Harlos. Harlos has appealed.

Hearing

• In accordance with Judicial Committee Rule 7.1, the Judicial Committee held a hearing on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 2pm EST.

Representing the Appellant

• Chuck Moulton main presentation; Harlos is available

Representing the LNC

• McCardle, Johnathan McGee, Jonathan Jacobs, and for IC questions: Malagon

Documents Submitted

Filings of Petitioner

• Petition for Appeal (info)

and Harlos exhibits: 

• • INDEX TO EXHIBITS NOT EMBEDDED IN SUBMITTED DOCUMENTS (info)

• • Balch Parliamentarian Opinion (info)

• • Other Exhibits (info)

(Nov. 15, 2024)

• Harlos Response to Jacobs (info)

(Nov. 22, 2024)

• Exhibit 39: Robert Opinion (info)

(Dec. 2, 2024)

• [https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=https://mywikis-wiki-media.s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/lpedia/Harlos_-_Response_re_Jacobs.pdf REPLY/AMICUS OF CARYN ANN HARLOS

TO THE VARIOUS AND CONTINUED OPINIONS OF JONATHAN M. JACOBS] (info)

(Dec. 2, 2024)

• REPLY/AMICUS OF CARYN ANN HARLOS TO THE RESPONSE OF THE LNC (info)

(Dec. 2, 2024)

Filings of Appellee Libertarian National Committee

• Libertarian National Committee Respondent Brief (info)

(Nov. 24, 2024), and exhibits: CAH Lawsuit Threat 1 (info)

, CAH Lawsuit Threat 2 (info) , Jacobs Notice Opinion (info)

Filings of Amicus Curiae and Related Document

• Balch Memo (info)

Nov. 16, 2024

• Moulton Amicus (info)

Nov. 18, 2024

• Jacobs Amicus #1 (info)

Nov. 21, 2024

• Jacobs Amicus #2 (info)

Nov. 22, 2024

• Knapp Amicus (info)

Nov. 22, 2024

• Hagopian Amicus (info)

Nov. 23, 2024

• Jacobs Amicus #3 (info)

Nov. 23, 2024

• Dasbach Amicus (info)

Nov. 30, 2024

• Vadney Amicus (info)

Dec. 3, 2024

• Jacobs Amicus #4 (info)

Dec. 3, 2024

• Robson Amicus (info)

Dec. 10, 2024

• Porter Amicus (info)

Dec. 10, 2024

• Kyle Davis Amicus (info)

Dec. 10, 2024

• Richard Brown, Response to Parliamentary Inquiry Re: Cause for Removal (info)

submitted and received Dec. 10, 2024

• Jacobs Amicus #5 (info)

Dec. 12, 2024

• Hays Amicus (info)

Dec. 12, 2024

• Nelson Amicus (info)

Dec. 12, 2024

• Classical Liberal Caucus, Layla Bush, et al., Amicus (info)

Dec. 13, 2024

• John Ponty, "Recent Updates On Libertarian Party Corruption," The Liberty Sentries (Substack) (Dec. 13, 2024)
• Cogliano Amicus (info)

Dec. 13, 2024

• Thompson Amicus (info)

Dec. 13, 2024

• Malagon Amicus (info)

Dec. 13, 2024

• James Wiley, Executive Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado, Amicus (info)

and Wiley Amicus-Exhibits (info)
Dec. 14, 2024

• Watkins Amicus (info)

Dec. 14, 2024

• Angela McCardle Amicus (info)

Angela McCardle Amicus-Attachment 1 (info)

and Angela McCardle Amicus-Attachment 2 (info)
Dec. 14, 2024

• Glenn Rink Amicus (info)

Dec. 14, 2024

• Andrew Chadderson Amicus (info)

Dec. 14, 2024

• Montana Mises Caucus Amicus (info)

Dec. 14, 2024

• Yeniscavich Amicus (info)

Dec. 14, 2024

Filings Submitted Late

Note: Per Judicial Committee Rules of Appellate Procedure 9.1, filings submitted after the hearing (Dec. 14, 2024) and are not considered to be part of the case.

Decision/Disposition

• On January 6, 2025, the Judicial Committee voted 6-1 to overturn the suspension of the Secretary and reinstate her to duty. Notice to the LNC was given by the Judicial Committee Chair on January 7, 2025. For the Majority: Stephan Kinsella, Rob Latham, Marc Montoni (concurring in the order to reinstate Caryn Ann Harlos to the position of Secretary only), Michael Seebeck, Rob Stratton, Blay Tarnoff. For the minority: Ken Krawchuk

• Summary Page of Opinions (info)

• Opinion of Mr. Seebeck (info)

• Opinion of Mr. Tarnoff, joined by Mr. Kinsella and Mr. Stratton (info)

• Opinion of Mr. Latham (info)

(concurring in the order to reinstate Caryn Ann Harlos to the position of Secretary only)

• Opinion of Mr. Krawchuk (info)