House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan has issued a final warning to political consultant Michael Nellis, CEO of Authentic Campaigns, regarding his noncompliance with a subpoena related to the prosecution of former President Donald Trump.

The subpoena, issued in late August, is part of a broader investigation into potential improper coordination between Nellis’s firm and efforts to prosecute Trump, with the investigation including scrutiny and recusal demands related to Loren Merchan, an employee of Nellis’s firm and daughter of Judge Juan Merchan, who continues to oversee Trump's hush money case, as the Daily Caller reports.

Subpoena Targets Consulting Firm Linked to Trump Case

The controversy began when Jordan’s committee issued a subpoena to Nellis, requesting documents related to any potential collaboration between Authentic Campaigns and the prosecution of Donald Trump.

Nellis’s firm, which employs Loren Merchan, came under scrutiny because of her father’s role as the judge in Trump’s high-profile legal case. Authentic Campaigns has previously received significant sums from Democratic campaigns, including $2 million from the Biden-Harris 2020 campaign, raising concerns about a possible conflict of interest.

Nellis, however, has pushed back against the investigation. On Sept. 13, his lawyer sent a formal objection to the subpoena, arguing that the request was improper and violated his client's rights.

Jordan Claims Objections Unfounded As Deadline Looms

In response to Nellis’s noncompliance, Jordan sent a sharply worded letter reiterating the committee’s authority to demand the requested documents. He dismissed Nellis’s objections as “unfounded and unpersuasive,” stating that they did not justify the firm’s failure to comply with the subpoena.

“These objections mirror concerns that your client has raised, and the Committee has addressed, in previous correspondence,” Jordan wrote. He added that the committee is entitled to the information and that noncompliance would not be tolerated.

Concerns Over Potential False Statements

Jordan’s letter went further, warning that Nellis might face legal consequences if he failed to cooperate. Specifically, Jordan cited Section 1001 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code, which penalizes false statements to Congress.

According to Jordan, new information uncovered by the committee suggests that Nellis may have misled lawmakers in his prior communications.

“This information raises the prospect that he has made false statements to the Committee,” Jordan stated, emphasizing that such violations could lead to criminal penalties.

Democratic Campaign Connections at Center of Investigation

At the heart of the investigation are the financial ties between Authentic Campaigns and various Democratic efforts. Jordan’s letter pointed to recent campaign filings from Kamala Harris’s current presidential campaign, which, he said, contradicted Nellis’s previous statements to the committee. Jordan also highlighted the $9 million in total payments that Democratic campaigns had made to Authentic Campaigns, including the $2 million from the Biden-Harris campaign.

These connections have fueled suspicions within Jordan’s committee that Nellis’s firm may have played a role in the Trump prosecution beyond normal political activity, especially given Judge Juan Merchan’s involvement in the case.

Nellis Responds to Jordan’s Accusations

Nellis has categorically denied the allegations, describing the entire investigation as “absurd and completely false.” He maintains that there has been no improper communication between his firm and Judge Merchan, dismissing Jordan’s claims as politically motivated.

“However, this has not stopped MAGA world conspiracy theorists from harassing our employees and sending death threats to some of our families,” Nellis said, referring to the backlash his firm has faced as a result of the investigation.

Escalation as the Deadline for Compliance Approaches

Despite the mounting tension, Jordan has given Nellis one final opportunity to comply with the subpoena. Nellis has until 9:00 a.m. on Oct. 11 to produce the requested documents or face potential contempt proceedings. Failure to meet this deadline could trigger further legal action, possibly escalating the standoff between Jordan and Nellis.

The ongoing conflict has brought renewed attention to the connections between political consulting firms and the legal battles surrounding former President Trump. As Jordan presses forward with his investigation, the focus remains on whether there was any inappropriate coordination between Authentic Campaigns and the prosecution of Trump.

Potential Legal Ramifications for Nellis

If Nellis continues to resist the subpoena, he could face significant legal challenges. The threat of criminal penalties under Section 1001, combined with the potential for contempt proceedings, puts Nellis in a precarious position. While he has expressed frustration with the investigation and its impact on his firm, the stakes remain high.

With the Oct. 11 deadline fast approaching, the next steps for both Nellis and Jordan are uncertain. What remains clear is that Jordan’s committee is determined to pursue its investigation into the financial and political ties surrounding Trump’s prosecution.