Michael Avenatti faces a mistrial and will be retried in October. Ken explores the spousal privilege in Matt Gaetz's case. Igor Fruman expected to change his plea, leaving Rudy Giuliani concerned. Charges against Owen Shroyer and sentencing for Proud Boy leader Enrique Tarrio are discussed. A 'criminal complaint' about Jeffrey Clark is followed up.
The mistrial in Michael Avenatti's wire fraud trial provides him an opportunity to re-litigate his case and potentially obtain a better outcome.
Igor Fruman's expected change of plea to guilty raises concerns about the potential consequences for Rudy Giuliani and the ongoing legal case against Fruman's associate Lev Parnas.
Deep dives
Court orders reinstatement of Remain in Mexico program
A federal judge has ordered the Biden administration to reinstate the Remain in Mexico program, which required asylum seekers coming from Central America to stay in Mexico while their cases were being processed in the United States. The judge's decision is a result of a legal challenge claiming that the Biden administration acted arbitrarily and capriciously in terminating the program. This ruling highlights the legal complexities and challenges faced by new administrations in changing immigration policies.
Mistrial declared in Michael Avenatti's case
A mistrial has been declared in the wire fraud trial of Michael Avenatti, the former lawyer for Stormy Daniels and a vocal critic of former President Trump. The mistrial was declared due to the government's failure to timely produce certain evidence related to Avenatti's defense. This ruling provides Avenatti with the opportunity to re-litigate his case and potentially leverage a better outcome. However, despite the mistrial, the evidence suggests that Avenatti failed to provide clients with their entitled settlements, which could still pose challenges for his defense.
Plea change expected from Igor Fruman
Igor Fruman, an associate of former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, is reportedly expected to change his plea to guilty in a case related to illegal campaign contributions. Fruman and Lev Parnas were involved in attempts to obtain damaging information on then-candidate Biden from Ukraine. This change in plea raises questions about the potential consequences for Giuliani, as Fruman is not required to cooperate as part of his plea agreement. The case against Parnas is still ongoing, with the possibility of a trial or a separate plea agreement in the future.
Calls for criminal charges against Jeffrey Clark
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) has sent a letter to the Department of Justice urging them to charge former DOJ official Jeffrey Clark with crimes related to his alleged involvement in attempting to overturn the presidential election results in Georgia. However, the letter lacks specific details and legal grounding for the potential charges. While Clark's actions were controversial and morally questionable, it remains unclear if there are sufficient grounds to pursue criminal charges against him.
It’s a big week for Michael Avenatti. A mistrial! Judge Selna ruled that the government had withheld financial evidence they should’ve made available to Avenatti as he defended himself in the case where he was being tried for embezzling funds from his clients. He’s going to be tried again in October. Is it a major factor that each side has seen the other’s hand? Does this make the case much more expensive, and is that to Avenatti’s advantage? And is Michael Avenatti a good lawyer now???
In other Southern California legal proceedings … Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz got married on Santa Catalina Island. How romantic! Ken reviews the spousal privilege for us because, as you might remember, Gaetz is also part of a sex trafficking investigation.
Also: thumb-headed henchman Igor Fruman (remember him?) is expected to change his plea to guilty in the criminal case where he’s accused of advancing Ukrainian business interests in the U.S, including soliciting campaign contributions. Should Rudy be more freaked out ...or less freaked out?
Finally: Ken and Josh discuss charges for Infowars host Owen Shroyer and the sentencing of Proud Boy leader Enrique Tarrio, and follow up on a “criminal complaint” about Jeffrey Clark.
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