‘Significant Portion’ of Trump Indictment Based on Protected Attorney-Client Privilege: Ex-Federal Prosecutor

The Epoch Times Header

A significant amount of the indictment against former President Donald Trump is based on attorney-client communications which are protected under U.S. law and will likely lead to a long and drawn-out legal battle in the months ahead, according to legal experts.

Trump has been charged with 31 counts of willful retention of national defense information; one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice, one count of withholding a document or record, one count of scheme to conceal, one count of corruptly concealing a document or record, one count of concealing a document in a federal investigation, and one count of false statements and representations.

The indictment marks the first time in history that the Department of Justice has charged a former president with a crime and will likely have serious implications for the 2024 presidential race, in which Trump is a leading candidate.

The former president has vowed to remain in the race regardless of the outcome of the trial. He pleaded not guilty in a federal court in Miami on June 13 and has called the case against him “political persecution.

Speaking with EpochTV’s “Crossroads” program on June 13, former federal prosecutor Will Scharf told host Joshua Philipp that it appears as though the DOJ has essentially “gotten into the middle” of the attorney-client privilege between Trump and his lawyer, Evan Corcoran, which Scharf described as “one of the core privileges guaranteed in our legal system.”

The attorney-client privilege protects the confidentiality of communications between individuals and their lawyers, meaning the latter may not disclose either oral or written communications with their clients to anyone unless granted permission by the client to do so.

However, Corcoran was forced to testify in the case against Trump and hand over records, including private correspondence, earlier this year after DOJ-appointed Special Counsel Jack Smith was able to obtain a “crime-fraud exception,” effectively piercing the attorney-client privilege.

By Katabella Roberts and Joshua Philipp

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Columns

Why Fishermen Are Catching Fewer Lobsters in Maine

For veteran lobsterman Travis Dammier, it was the end of another trip at sea on a solo voyage to earn a living.

Viewers like you

There is no constitutional authority for any spending on public broadcasting – period. Any questions: See Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.

Beyond the Trump-Musk fallout?

We are witnessing an unprecedented, unhinged Democrat effort to use lawfare, big Democrat donors, street theater, congressional disruptions, potty-mouth videos, the administrative state, the legacy media, and discredited pollsters to stop the Trump agenda.

Trans-wormal

No worm ever said "I am anthropomorphizing, I am a butterfly" to a toad or flock of geese and expected acknowledgement and support.

In Greenland’s Icy Capital, Past Troubles Haunt Hopes for the Future

As geopolitical realities and ongoing economic growth raise the stakes, U.S. interest in Greenland and the dream of independence may change things in a big way.

News

Why Drug Price Reform Alone Won’t Heal America

What happens when medications become too cheap, plentiful, and automatic and we don’t reform how drugs are used? We risk clinical harm.

Trump Says Musk Will Face ‘Very Serious Consequences’ If He Backs Democrats

President Trump warned that Musk could face “serious consequences” if he decides to back Democratic political candidates in upcoming elections.

Judge Declines to Block Trump Admin From Dismantling Library Services Agency

A federal judge cleared the way for the Trump admin to move forward with plan to dismantle the federal agency that funds libraries nationwide.

Supreme Court to Review Alabama’s Death Row Case Concerning IQ Test

The Supreme Court will consider how courts should weigh multiple IQ tests when assessing a death row defendant’s claim of intellectual disability.

US Travel Ban Will Not Hinder Los Angeles Olympics, LA28 CEO Says

Trump’s directive banning citizens from 12 countries from entering US exempts athletes. Officials confident Games have full backing of administration.

Musk Mulls New Political Party Amid Feud With Trump

Elon Musk is considering launching a new political party in wake of his public fallout with President Trump over a major Republican tax and spending bill.

Citigroup Reverses Course on Controversial Firearm Policies

Citigroup reversed its policy requiring retail business clients to refrain from selling firearms to those who haven’t passed background checks.

AI Is Taking Thousands of Jobs; Is Yours at Risk?

Just as the internet radically changed how America conducts business, AI is also making waves in the workplace by taking thousands of jobs.
spot_img

Related Articles