The foundation that raised money for Kyle Rittenhouse’s $2 million bond has asked the court in a letter to return the money to them at the conclusion of the trial.
Kenosha attorney Xavier Solis told Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Bruce E. Schreoder that the $2 million raised for Rittenhouse’s bond should be returned to Lin Wood’s #FightBack Foundation. Wood is one of Rittenhouse’s former attorneys.
“These funds were transferred by the Fightback Foundation to the Pierce Bainbridge Law Firm’s trust account and paid by attorney John Pierce on behalf of, and as agent for, the Fightback Foundation,” Solis wrote.
“Accordingly, the $2,000,000.00 shall be returned to the Fightback Foundation if and when such funds are released consistent with Wisconsin law and pursuant to Court rulings releasing the bail money back to the individual or entity that posted the cash bail,” Solis added.
The money was raised by supporters and was posted by Rittenhouse’s then-attorney John Pierce on behalf of #FightBack, the letter stated.
Public records show Pierce signed and posted the bond using a cashier’s check from Pierce’s law firm, Kenosha News reported.
Records show Pierce used his California home address to indicate where the money should be returned.
Clerk of Circuit Court Rebecca Matoska-Mentink said that unless there’s a court order, the bond would be returned to the poster, Pierce, Kenosha News reported.
In February, Rittenhouse fired John Pierce, who was his attorney at the time.
In an email, Wood said his foundation did not raise the money for Rittenhouse personally due to tax rules, Kenosha News reported.
Instead, Wood said his foundation donated the money for Rittenhouse’s bond and a portion of his legal costs.
The Twitter account “FreeKyleUSA”, which is supposedly run by an associate of Rittenhouse’s mother, Wendy, reacted to the letter by saying, “Money makes people do silly things.”
“While we’re busting our humps trying to raise money and see Kyle acquitted, Lin Wood is sending letters to the court DURING Kyle’s hearing to demand $2M in donations FOR KYLE be given to HIM,” the tweet added.
A jury trial is scheduled for November 1.