A federal judge ordered the government on Thursday to propose redactions to the highly sensitive affidavit that was used to justify a search warrant executed by the F.B.I. last week at former President Donald J. Trump’s private home and club, saying he was inclined to unseal parts of it, reports the New York Times.
Judge May Release Affidavit in Trump Search, but Only After Redaction (New York Times)
Excerpt from the New York Times: Ruling from the bench, the judge, Bruce E. Reinhart, said it was "very important" that the public have as "much information" as it can about the historic search at Mar-a-Lago, Mr. Trump’s Florida residence. He noted later in a written order that the government "had not met its burden of showing that the entire affidavit should remain sealed." Judge Reinhart went on to say that he was leaning toward releasing portions of the document, adding that "whether those portions would be meaningful for the public or the media" was not for him to decide. In its fullest form, the affidavit supporting the warrant would reveal critical details of the broader investigation into Mr. Trump’s handling of sensitive documents, chief among them as to what led prosecutors to believe there was probable cause that evidence of a crime existed at Mar-a-Lago. "This is going to be a considered, careful process," Judge Reinhart said.
In another ongoing investigation, Rudy Giuliani said Wednesday that he had "satisfied his obligation" after facing hours of questioning Wednesday before a special grand jury in Atlanta as a target of an investigation into attempts by former President Donald Trump and others to overturn his 2020 election defeat in Georgia, according to the Associated Press.
Giuliani says he ‘satisfied’ obligation with Ga. grand jury (Associated Press)
Excerpt from the Associated Press: Giuliani said Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis ended his appearance by saying he had "satisfied his obligation under the subpoena." Speaking upon his return to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, Giuliani didn’t provide any additional details about his appearance or testimony, including the type of questions he was asked. Giuliani’s attorneys tried to delay his appearance before the special grand jury, saying he was unable to fly due to heart stent surgery in early July. On Wednesday, Giuliani said "my plane ride was OK," noting that it was his first since the procedure. Costello said the session, which lasted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a half-hour lunch, "went very well. No disputes." Costello did not immediately address whether Giuliani answered questions or declined.
In a related story from Bloomberg, US Senator Lindsey Graham’s effort to avoid testifying shouldn’t delay a Georgia grand jury investigating efforts by Donald Trump and his allies to overturn his 2020 election, the Atlanta district attorney told a federal judge.
Georgia Election Probe Requires Lindsey Graham’s Testimony Now, DA Says (Bloomberg)
Excerpt from Bloomberg: Graham wants the judge to put her decision earlier this week ordering him to appear before the grand jury on hold while he appeals. Doing so would prevent the investigation from advancing at a crucial stage, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said in a filing Friday. "Delaying the Senator’s testimony would not simply postpone his appearance, it would also delay the revelation of an entire category of relevant witnesses or information, each of whom would require additional time and resources to secure on behalf of the” grand jury," Willis told US District Judge Leigh Martin May. One of Trump’s closest allies in the Senate, Graham had been subpoenaed by Willis to testify about a phone call he made to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. The state election official has said the senator appeared to suggest certain mail-in ballots could be discarded.
And finally, Allen Weisselberg, the longtime top financial officer of former president Donald Trump’s company, pleaded guilty on Thursday to committing more than a dozen felonies, including criminal tax fraud and grand larceny, writes the Washington Post.
Weisselberg’s sentence depends on him “testifying truthfully” at the upcoming Trump company trial. The plea agreement "directly implicates" the Trump Organization in a "wide range of criminal activity," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement. "Furthermore, thanks to the incredibly hard work and dedication of the team prosecuting this case, Weisselberg will spend time behind bars. We look forward to proving our case in court against the Trump Organization."
Allen Weisselberg, longtime Trump executive, pleads guilty to tax fraud (Washington Post)
Excerpt from the Washington Post: Weisselberg and the Trump Organization were indicted last year by authorities in New York who charged them with concealing certain financial compensation as part of what they called a years-long scheme to avoid paying taxes. Appearing in a Manhattan courtroom, Weisselberg, 75, acknowledged his part in the scenario outlined by prosecutors — and agreed to testify, if called, at a pending trial for the company. As part of his plea agreement, Weisselberg, Trump’s close and trusted associate for decades, would spend five months in jail, followed by five years of probation. Weisselberg spoke sparingly during the hearing, answering "yes" to affirm his activities and guilt on every count. His future testimony, however, could prove damaging for the former president’s namesake company, which prosecutors say carried out "a sweeping and audacious illegal payments scheme."
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