LNC Chair Nekhaila Notices Motion to Censure Region 1 Alternate

Libertarian National Committee Chair Steven Nekhaila said Wednesday night he will formally notice a motion to censure Region 1 first alternate Austin Martin at the committee’s next meeting, citing recent social media posts he alleges violate the party’s ethics policy and Martin’s fiduciary duties.

Editorial note: On August 25, Nekhaila noticed a motion to censure Martin on the Notice Thread for the Libertarian National Committee’s September 7 Special Meeting. He specifically cites alleged violations of party policy, breach of fiduciary duty, and refusal to follow his written directive.

The move follows several days of public discussion between Martin and other LNC members over the scope of the party’s confidentiality and whistleblower-protection policies. The exchange began after Martin posted criticisms of the Special Investigatory Committee report to social media, prompting requests from Nekhaila outside of the public Business List that the posts be removed, evidence of any alleged misconduct submitted by this upcoming Friday, and a written assurance provided against further public discussion.

These requests were later published by Martin in a thread on the LNC’s public Business List in the interest of transparency and his fiduciary duties to the organization. Martin added that he was seeking further advice of counsel and would comply if shown to be mistaken.

“I bring this matter to the attention of all because I am genuinely concerned for the LP and want to see us thrive as an organization,” Martin wrote. “As such, I take our reputation with great seriousness, and intend to protect it.”

In his first response on Tuesday, August 12, Nekhaila reiterated to Martin that his posts contained “unsubstantiated allegations of criminality” in violation of Policy Manual § 1.07.4(B)(I & II). He cited an August 11 post by Martin on X reading “This is straight up FRAUD” alongside a screenshot of the SIC report, and a second post pairing a Nancy Pelosi video clip with screenshots from the report and agreeing with a commenter likening the LNC’s conduct to “deep state” tactics. He said the posts also disparaged the LNC, insinuated bad faith and conspiracy by fellow board members, and undermined donor confidence in the party’s governance.

Nekhaila followed by noting that executive session discussions remain confidential unless released by the board, and that Martin’s claims of conflicts of interest among SIC members lacked specific names, dates, transactions, or governing standards. Nekhaila also pointed to an appearance-of-conflict because Martin’s caucus chair, former LNC Chair Angela McArdle, was a subject of the SIC report. He further warned that failure to comply could place Martin in violation of the party’s ethics policy and his fiduciary duties under the D.C. Nonprofit Corporation Act.

In response on Wednesday, August 13, Martin declined, citing protections for good-faith disclosures. He asserted that “sunlight is the best disinfectant” and that his comments did not reveal confidential information beyond what was already public.

In a further message later that evening, Nekhaila stated that Martin had never submitted a documented complaint under the party’s internal process or whistleblower policy, and that “raising concerns” is not the same as filing a complaint with evidence and a requested remedy. He said that while whistleblower protections apply to good-faith internal disclosures with supporting documentation, they do not extend to public accusations of “fraud,” “collusion,” or “deception,” nor to leaks from confidential proceedings.

“You have stated you ‘are simply unable to comply,'” Nekhaila wrote. “Accordingly, I will notice a motion to censure at the next LNC meeting so the full Board can formally register its disapproval and set the record straight for members and donors. I attempted to resolve this privately. You elected to place it before the Board and the public forwarder; accordingly, we will address it where you have put it.”

The 94-page report referenced by Martin was produced by the Special Investigatory Committee appointed earlier this year following McArdle’s January resignation. The LNC adopted the report’s findings on June 9. The report concluded that McArdle violated her fiduciary duty by concealing financial conflicts of interest and misusing donor funds. It detailed undisclosed transactions involving two entities linked to McArdle’s domestic partner, and also found McArdle used party resources to promote a rally organized by a nonprofit she founded.

As of this article, the date of the LNC’s next meeting has not been publicly announced.