WASHINGTON (AP) — A former top aide to Donald Trump appeared in federal court in Miami on Wednesday to testify before a grand jury investigating possible mishandling and obstruction of classified documents at the former president’s Palm Beach estate, according to a person familiar with the matter. .
Taylor Budowich, who had served as Trump’s spokesman after his presidency and now runs a pro-Trump super PAC, was due to testify before a grand jury that is separate from a panel that has been meeting in Washington for months to consider charges against Trump. for the retention of hundreds of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and the possible obstruction of government efforts to retrieve the records.
The person who confirmed Budowich’s appearance spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss secret grand jury proceedings.
It’s unclear why prosecutors are using an additional grand jury beyond the one in Washington or what testimony Budowich was expected to offer, though the existence of the Florida panel could be an indication that prosecutors are considering filing charges there .
Several witnesses, including Trump lawyers, close associates of the former president and Trump Organization officials, have appeared before the grand jury in Washington over the past year. The Mar-a-Lago investigation, led by special counsel Jack Smith’s prosecution team, is believed to be in its final stages, and a decision on charges is expected soon.
Trump’s lawyers met Monday at the Justice Department with officials, including Smith, as part of an effort by the legal team to raise concerns about what they say is prosecutorial misconduct and to try to argue against a possible accusation.
The investigation has focused not only on the possession of classified documents, even at the top secret level, but also on Trump’s refusal to return the records when requested, and on possible obstruction. The FBI last year issued a subpoena for classified records at the property and, after suspecting that Trump and his representatives had not returned all the documents, returned with a search warrant and recovered an additional 100 with classification marks.
Investigators have questioned a Trump associate who was seen on surveillance camera moving boxes of documents at Mar-a-Lago. As part of an obstruction investigation focused in part on surveillance footage, they have most recently expressed interest in the emptying of a station pool by a worker last October, an act that caused a flood on the property, according to another person who spoke with conditions. of anonymity This area of interest was first reported by CNN.
A spokesman for Smith declined to comment Tuesday night on the existence of another grand jury.
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