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Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Chair of the Judiciary Committee of the House, made gestures at a committee hearing earlier this month. (J. Scott Applewhite / AP)
John Wagner
National journalist heads the political press team at The Post newspaper
Tom Hamburger
An investigative reporter focused on the intersection of money and politics in Washington
A lawyer from the Trump Organization has asked the Judiciary Committee of the House to put an end to any investigation into this matter, saying the committee's work was tainted by the hiring of an outside lawyer whose firm represented Trump.
In a letter sent Monday to the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Jerrold Nadler (DN.Y.), Trump Organization lawyer, Alan S. Futerfas, opposed the hiring of Berry H. Berke by the committee, on the grounds that his law firm, Kramer Levin, represented the Trump. Organization on a range of issues.
"This state of affairs violates the recognized ethical obligations and irreparably taints the work of the Committee," wrote Futerfas, adding that he "demands that the Committee cease any activity harmful to the Society."
Futerfas expressed the same concern in a letter last week to the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.), Claiming that his panel was working closely with Nadler's committee.
In a statement, Kramer Levin described Trump Organization's letter to Nadler as "baseless" and stated that Berke's advisory work for the Judiciary Committee "fully respects all applicable ethical rules, poses no conflict of interest". Interest and does not respect the obligations of the firm. "
A Nadler spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Nadler announced the hiring of Berke two weeks ago, calling him a "national specialist in federal criminal law, including public corruption."
The Judiciary Committee of the House has launched an extensive investigation into the legal and ethical issues facing Trump, particularly to find out if he had attempted to obstruct the efforts of Special Advocate Robert S. Mueller. III to investigate the interference of Russia in the election of 2016.
"We have to follow the facts and carry out the kind of surveillance that has been completely absent in the last two years," Nadler said in a statement earlier this month announcing that Berke and another external expert, Norm Eisen, would be added to the list of candidates. Team of Democrats.
[Cohen to be publicly questioned on hush payments and Trump’s truthfulness]
Michael Cohen, a former Trump lawyer, is scheduled to appear before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday. The hearing will include Trump's business interests, according to a memo circulated to committee members on Sunday.
In his statement, Kramer Levin stated that Berke was working for the Judicial Committee on a personal basis and that the firm would not receive any compensation or legal support.
The firm also stated that none of the work he had done for Trump's companies was related to the work that Berke would do for the committee and that none of the firm's lawyers was working on a "Trump-related file".
"In fact, in recent years, the work of the company involved only minor tasks for single-purpose companies, such as pro forma changes to condominium plans dating back more than a decade or so. resolution of minor violations of buildings for management companies, "the statement said.
He congratulated Berke for his "public service" and declared that he "followed the best traditions of the legal profession".
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