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A federal judge on Friday issued a partial gag order in the criminal case of Trump's former political advisor, Roger Stone, as part of the investigation of Robert Mueller's special attorney .
Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the Federal District Court ordered Stone Friday to "refrain from making statements to the media or in public places that pose a substantial risk of causing significant harm to this case" , depending on the file.
ROGER STONE CLAIMS WITHOUT DUTY OF MUELLER POWERS IN FEDERAL COURT
Jackson also ordered all participants in the case, including the witnesses and the lawyers, to "refrain" from making statements to the media or the public, which could influence any juror, juror, judge, witness or officer of justice or interfere with the administration of justice. "
"No further statement will be imposed on the defendant's public statements or appearances for the time being, although this order may be amended in the future … if necessary," Jackson said in a court order. "This order shall not be interpreted as modifying or replacing the condition of the defendant's release which absolutely prohibits him from communicating with a witness in the case, whether directly or indirectly. defendant to intimidate or threaten a witness, or engage in or attempt to engage in any conduct in violation of [U.S. Code.]"
She added: "Finally, if it is not for the Court to tell the defendant if a succession of public statements would be in her current interest, she notes that one factor that will be Considered in the evaluation of the future claim for compensation based on pre-trial advertising will be the extent to which the advertisement was spawned by the defendant himself. "
Stone, who pleaded not guilty last month for obstructing justice, tampering with witnesses and misrepresentation in Congress after being indicted last month as part of the Mueller investigation, also saw order not to go anywhere other than Washington, the eastern district of New York. and the South Florida District while the case is pending. Stone is not allowed to have a passport in his possession nor to apply for a new passport. Stone has also been ordered to return to court "at any time".
Stone, 66, was arrested last month after being indicted by a federal grand jury a day earlier as part of Mueller's investigation over alleged Russian interference and possible collusion with the associates. the Trump campaign during the 2016 presidential election. More than a dozen FBI agents arrived in tactical outfits outside Stone's home.
Following his arrest, Stone made several appearances in the media and commented on the case on his social networking accounts.
The 24-page indictment released last month alleges that Stone has attempted to prevent the Intelligence Committee's investigation of the House of Representatives on the interference of the Russia in the 2016 election by making false statements to the committee, by negating the documents sought by the committee and by persuading a witness to provide false testimony.
The indictment does not blame Stone for conspiring with WikiLeaks, the anti-secret website that published the emails, nor with Russian officers, Mueller, allegedly hacked them. Instead, he accuses him of tampering with witnesses, obstruction and false statements about his interactions with WikiLeaks.
Stone served as Trump's advisor for years before he came to the presidency. He left the Trump campaign in August 2015, but maintained regular contact with Trump's campaign and publicly supported it throughout the 2016 presidential election.
FBI EXPOSES FORCE TO ROGER STONE: ARREST DISPLAYS CRITICISM OF MUELLER'S TACTICS
Jackson, who chaired the case of former Trump campaign president Paul Manafort, also imposed a gag order in this criminal case as part of Mueller's investigation.
Mueller's investigation, which was initially ordered to look into the 2016 elections, has been going on for more than a year and a half. He expanded to investigate the financial crimes of Trump's associates prior to the election, the talks that Trump's national security advisor had with the Russians during the transition, and whether or not Trump hindered justice with its comments and actions related to the investigation.
Twenty-six Russian nationals and three Russian companies were charged with interfering in the 2016 presidential election. But none of Trump's associates were charged with collusion-related crimes.
Other convictions include ex-national security advisor Michael Flynn and former campaign adviser George Papadopoulos, both of whom pleaded guilty to making false statements in 2017. L & # 39; Former campaign adviser Rick Gates in 2018 pleaded guilty and former campaign president Paul Manafort was convicted and then pleaded guilty. separate case of financial crimes dating back to before the 2016 elections.
Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, pleaded guilty to making false statements in a case brought by Mueller in November. Alex van der Zwaan, a London-based lawyer, pleaded guilty to making false statements this year, and Richard Pinedo, a California man, pleaded guilty to identity fraud in 2018.
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