NEW YORK, NY – Lawyers involved in the $370 million civil financial fraud trial surrounding the former President Donald Trump have been given a Wednesday deadline to address the potential perjury of a key witness. Judge Arthur Engoron set the deadline after reports emerged that former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg may be negotiating a guilty plea for perjury. This development could further damage Trump’s defense in the case, as Weisselberg had served as a key witness in the trial. Engoron expressed interest in whether Weisselberg’s testimony during the trial could now be called into question.
In another legal matter, seventeen ethics experts, former prosecutors, and defense attorneys filed a brief arguing that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’s romantic relationship with lead prosecutor Nathan Wade should not be considered an ethical conflict in the Georgia election interference case. The experts assert that the alleged relationship does not give Willis forbidden access to confidential information or impact fairness and due process owed to the defendants. Trump and other co-defendants have argued that Willis should be disqualified due to the conflict of interest presented by the relationship. A hearing on the matter has been scheduled for February 15th before Judge Scott McAfee.
Meanwhile, an appeals court in the District of Columbia unanimously ruled that former President Trump is not protected by presidential immunity in the Jan. 6 election interference case. The court rejected Trump’s claim that he had the authority to commit crimes to overturn the 2020 election results. However, the court granted Trump’s lawyers until February 12th to file an emergency appeal with the United States Supreme Court before the case returns to Judge Tanya Chutkan. If the Supreme Court agrees to hear the appeal, the decision of the appeals court will not go into effect until after the high court makes a ruling. The trial, originally set to begin on March 4th, has already been postponed due to the presidential immunity question. Trump may seek further delays by requesting a review from the full court of appeals or by arguing the immunity question again.
These legal developments could have significant implications for Trump’s political future. With a potential guilty plea from Weisselberg and ongoing disputes over the Georgia election interference case, Trump’s defense and electoral prospects face new challenges. The outcome of these cases may impact public perceptions and influence voters in the 2024 election.