Legal Dispute Arises Over Representation of Nicolás Maduro in U.S. Court
NEW YORK (AP) — A legal clash has emerged regarding the representation of former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, following his recent arraignment on drug trafficking charges. The dispute centers on who has the authority to act as his legal counsel in this significant case.
Barry Pollack, Maduro’s current defense attorney, has raised issues about Bruce Fein, a former associate deputy U.S. attorney general, claiming Fein attempted to join the legal team without proper authorization. According to Fein, he was approached by individuals from Maduro’s close circle to assist in the complicated legal situation arising from Maduro’s capture.
Fein communicated to Manhattan federal Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein that although he hasn’t had direct contact with Maduro, the former president “had expressed a desire” for his involvement in the case. Fein’s involvement was challenged by Pollack, who requested that Judge Hellerstein revoke his approval for Fein’s participation, asserting that Fein was not authorized to file legal documents on behalf of Maduro.
The issue became public on Thursday when Pollack formally asked the court to remove Fein from the legal team. Pollack was the sole representative for Maduro during the court appearance where both Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty to accusations of collaborating with drug cartels to smuggle significant quantities of cocaine into the United States. This development follows the capture of Maduro and Flores by U.S. special forces in Caracas.
In his communication with Judge Hellerstein, Pollack noted his unsuccessful attempts to reach Fein via phone and email to clarify the basis of his involvement. Pollack stated Maduro confirmed that he does not know Fein and has not authorized him to act as his legal representative. As a result, Pollack requested adjustments to the court docket to reflect this clarification.
In a Friday response, Fein did not challenge Pollack’s statements but suggested that Judge Hellerstein should privately confirm Maduro’s choice of legal representation. Fein emphasized the challenging circumstances surrounding Maduro’s apprehension, which included communication restrictions and immersion in a foreign legal process. He argued these conditions could lead to potential misunderstandings.
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