The classified documents case regarding documents stored at former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate involves people besides the former president.
According to Just The News, Walt Nauta, a former Trump aide, pleaded not guilty to the classified documents case charges.
Yahoo News noted:
According to investigators, Nauta moved boxes containing classified material at least five times between May and June 2022. During that time, Nauta allegedly removed a total of 64 boxes from a storage room at Mar-a-Lago, but returned with less than half that figure. He also is accused of lying to investigators during a voluntary interview.
He was originally charged alongside the former president, but his arraignment has been delayed numerous times due to various attorney, travel, and personal issues.
Just The News noted:
Stanley Woodward, a Washington-based attorney, entered the not-guilty plea for Nauta. The charges he pleaded not guilty to include obstruction and concealment.
New information revealed earlier this week in a less redacted version of the FBI's affidavit used to secure the Mar-a-Lago search warrant shows that footage appeared to show Nauta moving boxes in the months before the raid.
Nauta, a former valet for the president, pleaded not guilty on Thursday in a Miami-based federal court.
In prosecutions w/ multiple defendants, it's common for interests to diverge
That's clearly the case w Trump & his "body man" Walt Nauta
If I were Nauta's lawyer, I'd tell him to cut a deal—& fast
I explained @NewsCentralCNN w @jimsciutto @kpolantz pic.twitter.com/M3boflbedV
— Norm Eisen (@NormEisen) July 6, 2023
There were reportedly so many delays with Nauta's arraignment that the judge overseeing the case looked at Nauta and said, "I’m very glad to see you here."
NEW: Things are getting real in the Trump classified documents case.
Trump aide Walt Nauta is expected to enter a plea deal and be arraigned today.
Maura is a co-defendant in the case with Trump and is facing six charges.https://t.co/YD5OfeWB9P
— Cryptid Politics 🇺🇸🐊 (@CryptidPolitics) July 6, 2023
Fox reported that Nauta hired Sasha Dadan to represent him. Dadan is based out of Fort Pierce, Florida, where Trump's classified documents trial will likely take place.
After his court appearance, which lasted a reported five minutes, Nauta was quickly whisked into a waiting black Mercedes-Benz sedan and didn't say anything as reporters shouted questions.
Nauta's arraignment drew mixed reactions from social media, with some supporting the former president's aide, and some warning that he'll end up a "fall guy" in the same sense that Michael Cohen claims he was.
Trump has maintained that he's innocent of the charges brought against him the federal indictment led by Special Counsel Jack Smith.
Only time will tell how Nauta proceeds. It'll be fascinating to watch.
