Judge deals blow to Steve Bannon's legal defense in coming trial
Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon cannot argue at his trial that he is not guilty of contempt of Congress because he was following the advice of his lawyer, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.
U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols said such a defense is not available in a contempt of Congress case, dealing Bannons defense a major setback. He faces trial in July.
Its a serious blow, because he doesnt have another good defense, said Joyce Vance, a former federal prosecutor. Hell now have to make a decision about whether to proceed to trial or try to cut some kind of deal.
A federal grand jury indicted Bannon in November on two counts of contempt of Congress for refusing to answer questions from the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. One count accused him of refusing to appear for a deposition, and the other was for declining to produce documents requested by the committee.
If he is convicted, Bannon, who is 68, could be sentenced to a year behind bars and a fine of up to $100,000.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/judge-deals-blow-steve-bannons-legal-defense-upcoming-trial-rcna23314
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Potential fine and sentence are insufficient for this pusbag.