Judge Merchan removed from Steve Bannon’s Trump wall fundraiser case – Washington Examiner
Judge Juan Merchan, overseeing Donald Trump’s hush money case, has been replaced by Judge April Newbauer in Steve Bannon’s upcoming New York trial regarding his “We Build the Wall” fundraising efforts. The change was due to Merchan’s pre-existing commitment to another lengthy trial scheduled to overlap with Bannon’s. Judge Ellen Biben announced the reassignment, citing Merchan’s involvement in a six-defendant trial expected to last several months starting in September 2024, which conflicts with Bannon’s trial date set for September 23. Future communications and proceedings for Bannon’s case under Judge Newbauer will be arranged soon.
Judge Juan Merchan, who has presided over former President Donald Trump’s hush money case, has been removed from Trump ally Steve Bannon’s New York criminal trial relating to his “We Build the Wall” fundraising campaign.
A court statement from Judge Ellen Biben said Merchan is no longer on the case because of a conflicting schedule. “Merchan … who is assigned to this matter, is engaged to preside over a six-defendant trial that is scheduled to commence on 09/16/24 and expected to last at least three months,” she wrote, while Bannon’s trial is set to begin on Sept. 23.
The statement ends by saying Judge April Newbauer will preside over Bannon’s case and “follow up with the parties to schedule a status conference and for any further communication.”
NEW: The reason Merchan no longer on Bannon’s Trump Wall Fundraiser case from Judge Biben:
“Merchan … who is assigned to this matter, is engaged to preside over a six-defendant trial that is scheduled to commence on 09/16/24 and expected to last at least three months.” https://t.co/PqPX5Iu7dP pic.twitter.com/JRTiwpzuNK
— Kaelan Deese (@KaelanDC) June 25, 2024
Newbauer previously made news for setting bail at $5,000 for a man charged with assault of a woman and attempted burglary, far beneath what prosecutors asked for. Months later, out on bail, the man was charged with killing the woman, her friend, and her dog.
Bannon has a scheduled appearance before her on July 23.
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Bannon previously pleaded not guilty to several criminal charges, including money laundering, conspiracy, and fraud in relation to his fundraising campaign in which he allegedly duped donors.
The Trump ally will go to a Connecticut prison for four months starting July 1 for a 2022 contempt of Congress conviction regarding his refusal to assist the Jan. 6 House committee. He has recently requested that the Supreme Court delay his sentence.
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