Judge: MyPillow CEO's rights were not violated when FBI seized his cellphone

• The seizure last year was part of a federal investigation into indicted Mesa County clerk Tina Peters over tampering with voting equipment in Colorado.
• Lindell did not respond to a request for comment.
• Lindell is an ally to former President Trump and major Republican donor. He has repeatedly pushed false claims about 2020 election fraud.

Catch up quick: Lindell had his phone taken in a Hardee's fast food restaurant in 2022 in Mankato, Minn. He had been trying to get it back since it was taken, per the court filing.

• Lindell had requested the return of his phone, data seized from the government on it and an order precluding the government from taking further action with his phone.

Details: Erickson wrote that Lindell was filing litigation in an attempt to interfere with and, "at most, enjoin a criminal investigation and ultimately hamper any potential federal prosecution" in the election-related criminal probe.

• The government "implemented its filter protocols to safeguard confidential, private and privileged materials on Lindell's phone," the judge wrote.
• Lindell's phone was backed up five days prior to its seizure, per the court, allowing him access to the majority of the information on it.

Go deeper: MyPillow CEO says FBI seized his cellphone