Sondland files $1.8 million suit against Pompeo and the U.S. government

R&I – FS

Gordon Sondland, former President Donald Trump’s ambassador to the European Union, has filed a $1.8 million lawsuit against former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the U.S. government for legal fees stemming from the 2019 House impeachment inquiry into Trump’s dealings with Ukraine.

Sondland was a key witness against Trump in that probe, testifying that there was a “quid pro quo” between the Trump administration and Ukraine to investigate then-presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son Hunter in exchange for military aid.

“Everyone was in the loop,” Sondland said in his testimony. “It was no secret.”

According to the 21-page lawsuit filed Monday in federal court in the District of Columbia, Pompeo reneged on a promise that the State Department would cover the legal costs associated with Sondland’s testimony.

“Pompeo assured Ambassador Sondland that the State Department would reimburse him for all of his legal costs,” the suit states.