According to CNN, the aftermath of the FBI’s seizure of classified records from Mar-a-Lago last August has revealed an intriguing series of interactions between former President Donald Trump and a key witness in the federal criminal indictment accusing Trump of mishandling classified documents. A long-time employee of Trump’s private club, who played a role in several incidents mentioned in the indictment, left his job three months after the FBI operation. Notably, this employee had privileged information, having moved boxes for Trump and been privy to conversations cited in the indictment involving Trump, Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira, and Trump’s body man Walt Nauta.
After the employee’s departure, Trump made a rare personal call to inquire about the reason behind the resignation. The former employee cited another business opportunity, and Trump reportedly expressed that he thought highly of him. Subsequently, a pattern of outreach unfolded, including offers of legal representation paid for by Trump, complimentary tickets to a golf tournament, and invitations to return to work for Trump. These interactions, although potentially innocuous, drew the interest of the special counsel’s office investigating Trump.
The former employee, who was close to De Oliveira, shared details of these interactions in interviews with investigators before Trump’s indictment. The exchanges, largely unreported until now, underscore the discreet efforts employed by Trump’s business and political circles to maintain connections with allies and former associates. This strategy has raised the attention of prosecutors and defense attorneys as Trump’s legal battles approach.
De Oliveira, loyal to Trump, played a role in facilitating these interactions. Trump is funding De Oliveira’s legal representation, and De Oliveira continued to extend invitations for the former employee to attend Trump-hosted events and even offered him his old job back. The former employee eventually retained his own attorney by early 2023, anticipating a subpoena from federal investigators. The case has raised questions about the use of defense lawyers provided by Trump, with considerations of potential ethical implications in influencing witness testimony. This intricate web of interactions adds a layer of complexity to the legal proceedings surrounding Trump’s indictment for mishandling classified documents.
