Posted via forum by Mica, and republished with the permission of the author Christopher woody. For Business Insider
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| Guzman, right, and defense attorneys Michael Schneider, center right, and Michelle Gelernt, center left, in a court sketch, January 20, 2017. REUTERS/Christine Cornell |
Former Sinaloa cartel kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman has pleaded not guilty to the array of charges against him and his next court date is May 5.
But the legal wrangling around the Mexican capo has not slacked.
In the most recent development, US prosecutors slated to face Guzman in an Eastern District of New York courtroom have asked that US authorities investigate any foreigners added to Guzman's legal team.
US Attorney Robert Capers and Arthur Wyatt, Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section chief for the Justice Department's Criminal Division, argued that, based on their experience, an unvetted member of the defense team could compromise the case brought by the government.
"If a foreign lawyer or investigator that also was a member of the Sinaloa cartel was united with the defense team, [they] could travel to the United States, review the evidence that is protected, and travel later out of the United States with that knowledge," Capers and Wyatt wrote in a letter to Eastern District judge Brian Cogan.
"If a member of the cartel traveled to the United States and found out the identity of a cooperating Mexican witness, [they] could later travel to Mexico with this information and give the name of the witness to other members of the Sinaloa cartel who could kidnap or kill the family of that witness," the letter added
But the legal wrangling around the Mexican capo has not slacked.
In the most recent development, US prosecutors slated to face Guzman in an Eastern District of New York courtroom have asked that US authorities investigate any foreigners added to Guzman's legal team.
US Attorney Robert Capers and Arthur Wyatt, Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section chief for the Justice Department's Criminal Division, argued that, based on their experience, an unvetted member of the defense team could compromise the case brought by the government.
"If a foreign lawyer or investigator that also was a member of the Sinaloa cartel was united with the defense team, [they] could travel to the United States, review the evidence that is protected, and travel later out of the United States with that knowledge," Capers and Wyatt wrote in a letter to Eastern District judge Brian Cogan.
"If a member of the cartel traveled to the United States and found out the identity of a cooperating Mexican witness, [they] could later travel to Mexico with this information and give the name of the witness to other members of the Sinaloa cartel who could kidnap or kill the family of that witness," the letter added
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| Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman arrives at Long Island MacArthur airport in New York, January 19, 2017, after his extradition from Mexico. Reuters |
The letter was confirmed to Univision by Jose Refugio Rodriguez, one of three Mexican lawyers who represented Guzman in his home country.
He said that while they are not allowed to act as lawyers on Guzman's behalf in the US, they had been advising his current legal team and could visit him in the future.
Refugio Rodriguez said it was the right of prosecutors to look into the background of members of the defense team, but he said he took issue with this specific request as it seemed to cast Guzman's Mexican lawyers as complicit with the kingpin, which he said violated the presumption of innocence
He said that while they are not allowed to act as lawyers on Guzman's behalf in the US, they had been advising his current legal team and could visit him in the future.
Refugio Rodriguez said it was the right of prosecutors to look into the background of members of the defense team, but he said he took issue with this specific request as it seemed to cast Guzman's Mexican lawyers as complicit with the kingpin, which he said violated the presumption of innocence
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| Guzman's defense attorneys, Michael Schneider and Michelle Gelernt outside the federal courthouse in the Brooklyn, New York, January 20, 2017. Reuters / Joe Penney |
In their letter, Capers and Wyatt denied that they did not trust Guzman's Mexican lawyers, but said that in the past "foreign professionals," including lawyers, had used their status to commit crimes and bribe officials.
Guzman's US lawyers — Michael Schneider and Michelle Gelernt, two court-appointed public defenders — criticized the request as a "prohibition" on foreigners joining the defense and said the prosecutors' letter did not offer legal arguments for why "the citizens of other countries are less trustworthy than Americans."
According to Refugio Rodriguez, Guzman's US lawyers have already brought a motion against the request, "because lawyers cannot be treated like criminals."
Guzman's US lawyers — Michael Schneider and Michelle Gelernt, two court-appointed public defenders — criticized the request as a "prohibition" on foreigners joining the defense and said the prosecutors' letter did not offer legal arguments for why "the citizens of other countries are less trustworthy than Americans."
According to Refugio Rodriguez, Guzman's US lawyers have already brought a motion against the request, "because lawyers cannot be treated like criminals."
First of all: if Chapo has Mexican lawyers helping his case this means he has the money to pay for an American lawyer himself. Something he had claimed he couldn't afford.
ReplyDeleteSecond: Mexican lawyers I, would assume are not licensed to practice law in the U.S. so with this said, how and or why ate they allowed to review anything related to Chapos case???
Finally this is all bullshit! The U.S. knows damn well what can or can't be done relating to Chapo and if they can't take care of one single person so as they won't talk then what the hell is this fuckin talk about a wall along the border going to do to stem the shit of what???
Congrats you typed a whole paragraph without making a point or any sense at all.
Delete@4:29 it's making people think of the crap the U.S. government or prosecutors are trying to say about Chapo and his lawyers is all that matters. Making a point was not the intent.
DeleteSmart ass!
Haha.. exactly what I said earlier. Apparently the mods have zero sense of humor because they scrapped my comment.
Delete@4:29 lmfao!
Deletewho cares about informants names its all in Chapos discovery package and he can post it on this website if he wanted.
Deletethe real concern is laywers can have special vists and cant be searched and stuff so could pass chapos orders
~~~el spaceio~~~
El Chapo is STUPID for now trying to claim BROKE, when the deal is going to end up in a fine paid like with Vicente Zambada paying a $1.27B Fine, but now is free in the US, with Citizenship, Visa's for his family as well and he was the worker and not the man like El Chapo. He needs to get his DREAM TEAM together and put the CIA , his suppliers on trial and watch how quick they settle his case.
DeleteI am sure the courts here in the usa are not obligated to honor ANY king of foreign licenses . This is obviously just procedure and somebody thought it was worth making a story about . Even here in the USA any lawyer cant just show up in any court and practice law . There is a procedure to being allowed in that court .
DeleteA lawyer that doesn't hold a usa law license is not a lawyer in the usa . The united states of America doesn't not automatically honor any foreign licenses. Hell everybody knows that !
4:29 wins, one of the smartest put down$ with real economy of words, please keep it up!
Delete--I don't see why is there any need for secrecy and secret trials or shit, let's have open trials and questions and answers, it is not like the national security of the US depends of protecting Rasputin's Reputation,
Then after railroading him, put la chapa in a cage in the middle of anywhere US to beg for money for food.
8:35 . I'm pretty sure 4:29 or you didn't even place if we are scoring these comments . Although there are some sensible comments on here many are incapable of recognizing them .
DeleteHuh? I don't understand at allllllll what ur trying to say :/
Delete10:56 I don't even unnerstaaan WHO you talkin' to
Delete@8:06 - yeah those that don't hear voices, stay up for a week tweaking and haven't been declared mentally insane "are incapable of recognizing" any sense, much less "points" that started this laughable string of responses.
DeleteThis is my first time i visit here. go I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here! keep up the good work
DeleteI am sure El chapo has lawyers here in America under his payroll to acquire such misconduct.
ReplyDeleteHe has the money to get classified information and people willing to to get paid here for that.
Let's be frank: we are talking about a man who's wealth is 20 x more than Walmart.
Corruption exists everywhere now just Mexico.
1:15 "...20x more than Walmart"?
Delete"Bitch Please", no pinchis mames...
True. The reason people say Mexico is really corrupt because it is out in the open. Anyone can go to MX get pulled over n pay their way out. In the states the corruption is well hidden, cops here can't really be bought. The higher power is where the corruption really lies.
Delete@8:04PM Fortunately for a few people who comment here BB does not require an IQ test as a condition of posting comments.
DeleteUhhhh, what's an IQ test? 804 pm thank you for making me laugh early in the morning and thank you DD for the hilariously witty reply. Gotta love BBs comments and not take them so serious people. Don't make me put a boot up in yoe ass.
DeleteAssman
Simply making a point of his wealth which i will assume after all those years in business is more than walmart. No need for uncalled for remarks pertaining ones IQ and such. Suggest a little more restraint of such unnecessary behavior.
DeleteAs for IQ ? I do very well . Educated business owner.
So if I offended the elite and the sensitive , not ones intention.
Enjoy your day.
dd a total of four ppl have gotten busted in Piedras Negras Coahuila and they all had packages with the name sinaloa on them from meth to mota guns ammo an radios..three in a stolen CRV an one im not sure where he was picked up all under 40yrs of age including one was a woman..heads up sinaloa wants Coahuila now im guessing Tijuana to hard to take..they must think Zs are gone..they just more low key is all but thers an halcon on every block..an som of your poor ppl actually like them an help them they help more than the wachos do..
Delete5:53 don't cry, crybaby, makes you look like a ñiña chillona.
Deletehow can this guy get real lawyers here in the USA without showing proof of where money came from
ReplyDelete@2:13PM His real lawyers here in USA are court appointed.
DeleteChapo's official counsel are court appointed public defenders meaning the US taxpayer is paying for his defense. His real legal strategist who likely bill over $1,000 per hour will guide these public defenders but in using public defenders they will more easily be able to plead a case for inadequate counsel and have decisions appealed.
DeleteIt would be interesting to know if Chapo's defense or the government's prosecution ultimately spends more money in this legal battle??? Which side do you believe will spend more money BB readers?
Court appointed lawyer <> 'real' lawyer! Real lawyers are EXPENSIVE!!!
DeleteCourt appointed lawyers are paid by The People, sometimes they make a lot of money for themselves later too, there is a lot in getting a gig like la chapa's defense.
DeleteProstiturers usually become highly paid politicians, but they get paid big money by lobbyists to screw The People in the ass.
Gotti did it. So will chapo
DeleteGetting Gotti in isolation as part of his punishment made it sure that he would not spill the beans about his partners and associates, same as el benja, miguel angel felix gallardo, juan garcia abrego, y los linias de las Casas de la muerte en cd juarez chihuahua, well, they were let go, after all they were Chihuahuas' State Police too, their charolas mattered...
Deletejust because he gets a public defender or pro bono lawyer doesn't mean they are not good lawyers if he gets a public defender it will be the best in the county and there are some real good public defenders out there. the reason there are some really good public defenders out there is some already have all the money they need and want to help poor people and others are on their way to becoming a judge. usually a lawyer that wants to be a judge will do some time as a public defender and also as a prosecutor before they can become a judge. the main reason public defenders get a bad rep is not because they lack skill it is because they are overloaded with cases and can only put so much time and effort into a case. sometimes on big cases they will assign the best public defender and lighting up their case load so can put more effort into the case.
Delete~~~el spaceio~~~
6:34 I think the term "court appointed attorney" pretty much precludes him getting "the best in the country".
DeleteYou damn right those team members from Mexico are there to find out who the witnesses are and to intimidate the witnesses and the family of the same.
ReplyDeleteThe Flores brothers are in protective custody . Testimony alone from the twins is a sure guarantee for a prosecution. No need for the theatrical requests.
DeleteChapo will delay as his team passes info on witnesses to outsiders who will go about and tamper, intimidate, or kill them.
ReplyDeleteGoodbye Chapo. Enjoy the supermax. Plenty of time to ponder your crimes.
ReplyDeleteEl cheapo is legend no other drug lord will ever be has power ful has this man we all die but not all man are remember for century's decades I'm a from Canada and will like to know what part of Mexico he is from? Cause he a brave man
ReplyDeleteFirst time here?
DeleteSinaloa ...where all brave men from Mexico are born.
Deleteatte:GxNx
Sinaloa a small town in northern mexico next to Durango and Chihuahua people from there are also call "Gallos" Wich means 🐓 rooster you will hear es UN Gallo de Sinaloa o un alacran de Durango
DeleteI rather be a bum then a legend who is about to do 100 yrs in max!!!
DeleteReading this makes me feel like your a french canadian. Lol
Delete3:19 Is a guy from sinaloa posing as a Canadian, that's why he can't even spell right lol what's so brave about Chapin? He was a DEA informant half of his criminal career and never went out blasting like most of his 1000's of fake corridos say!
DeleteLmfao this morning, "first time here?" Hey 319, you might be in Canada but you are Defenintly not from there.
DeleteAssman
They are not infiltrator they are cartel operatives pretending to be lawyers
ReplyDeleteFuck chapo!!! What makes this short fuck so special? They didn't do all this bullshit when they sentenced The Arellano cartel boss.
ReplyDeleteThe arrellanos were less special.lol
Delete4:20 part of the extradition agreement was that la chapa would not be allowed to incriminate mexican or american government or public figures, because of "national security concerns" on both countries where impunity for public corruption is at stake.
DeleteChapo is very powerful
Delete7:42 yeep, la chapa G has some big poderosas, bigger than la chapa chila's
DeleteThe U.S is not taking any chances, they want to get him bad. Cheapo has no chance
ReplyDeleteWell, if you take someone from another country, why wouldn't they be allowed to use their trusted lawyers from their own country? This is just a seedy move by the US Govt to deprive the boogy men like Chapo, that they created, depriving someone of a fair trial in the face of corrupt evidence from the prosecution. We all know the CIA still makes money from people like Chapo. Blocking his lawyers is a pathetic move, a desperate attempt to hide the US's dirt. And no person should support this move because any foreigner will have their rights to a fair trial taken away. If the case is so air tight, then why do they need to pull this? And why would they care about witnesses, now? Trump tightening the budget on Witness protection?
ReplyDelete6:46 . He is being tried for crimes against the USA . He can have the best defense layers money can buy if he wants to pay for them . "we all know " is a phrase you used so I will use it myself . We all know if we let just anybody he wants to have full access ..... WE ALL KNOW ! The attorney cant accuse them without evidence but WE ALL KNOW . Is his wife moving up to be near him ? How is she on funding ? I don't have proof of where her money comes from but WE ALL KNOW .
DeleteIf there is cia involved in drug trafficking I believe they should be dealt with as harshly as legally possible . If they are it don't mean anybody that got caught should get a pass . Just means they should get them also . Have know of people getting busted with 18 wheeler loads and get 5 or 10 years . Don't mea the guy that got caught with a fraction of the amount should get off .
7:42 WE ALL KNOW. NICE
DeleteIn news that are not related to this story. In tamaulipas an alleged real mafia kingping from naples was detained.
ReplyDeleteCrazy.. But zeta and golfos are in Italy working with the Italian mob there
DeleteNaples Italy? Lucy, you got some esssplainin to do
Deleteother blogs are reporting that Chapito Leal was captured TJ
ReplyDeleteHe doesn't need lawyers to pass info, the info can be attained by corrupted officers, da's or anybody with access to info
ReplyDeleteFree El Chapo
ReplyDelete@10:05 I agree . Free his soul and sent him to his final reward in hell
DeleteSinaloa is going to unleash the special extractions sicario team to exract Chapo out of prison.
ReplyDeleteThe artist's rendering of Chapo wearing a T-Shirt or short sleeved shirt in court is an appalling reflection of Chapo's team. He should have been provided a conservative suit or at least a long sleeved proper shirt.
ReplyDelete_Canadian girl
I agree. It seems that his legal team sucks
DeleteJohn Gotti's railroading crew stole all the pinstriped teflon suits, nothing ever sticks to them former partners of him anymore,
Delete--La chapa is lucky he is not paraded in court en puros calzones por andar ahi de caliente.
After reading old articles and comparing comments, I can safely say that all intelligent,credible, and knowledgeable readers are long gone.
ReplyDelete11:00 looks like the "intelligent readers" ran away from you.
DeleteThe smart commenters reamain, here, mixed with the rabble, we even give people like you a chance or two, count your strikes, no balls...
Like his American team are not reporting to some cartel guy in the US who then pass it on to cds.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a joke.
I am thinking the USA could, and already may have brought the whole family into the USA under protection. When it is all said and done they will go into a witness protection program. It only makes sense and this is one of the biggest cases they have seen in a long time. They are smart enough to cover their bases I am sure.
ReplyDeleteIf it doesn't fit you must Acquit
ReplyDeleteOk Johnny . You think they may be able to play the race card in this trial ? You think every witness and lawyer will become celebrities ? It do fit and they wont Acquit . The big injustice will be when his plea bargain will be short enough that he will get out alive . Not a racially divided jury .
DeleteNo if it doesn't fit, you must use spit.
DeleteBlocking his lawyers, sound familiar? John Gotti Sr
ReplyDeleteChapo is history . Never live free again . No way in hell . Shouldn't have went by El . The Dons and the Els that come from the lower part of society dumb criminals . We need to find more of this dumb fucker money and build more super max prisons . I think we need one in a place called Death Valley . Hell it would vitalize the local economy . We could air condition it and never let the cell block get above 102f . Was in a texas prison it was the same temp inside and out . Yea Death Valley and chapo can pay for it .
ReplyDeleteLawyers are knowledgeable and specialize in tort law. This is a set of laws that deal with civil wrongs and provide the injured client with legal remedies. Car accidents, injury lawyer
ReplyDeleteChapo is retarded. El señor oziel cardenas Guillen actually had his lawyers running his cartel the almighty CDG. He pulled a fast one on the GOM. Now señor Osiel can't be found on the Bureau of Prisons inmate locator. Rumor has it he is out and about in hkustin, tx eating the first esta foods and living it up. That's a smart man. His original sentence was 25 years and 50 million fine that he paid in cash money. Yes his familk all got us papers too!
ReplyDeleteChapo don't need the lawyers for getting info from his case because in USA they give you all that in the discovery package. the real cause for concern is that the lawyers have privileged visits that are private and Chapo could pass orders through the lawyers and the prison can not listen in on him.
ReplyDelete~~~el spaceio~~~
What orders lol. Come on now. He's retired
Delete"Don osiel" had a 200 million dollar, fine or more, what the hell happened?
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why Chapo don't have a dream team of lawyers? Who gives A dam,he going away for 100 yrs might as we'll go out fighting,who cares if USA asks how he's paying for lawyers,what's another charge on him anyways! IV known less drug dealers who've had better lawyers....If anybody ever gets in trouble with dope get Tony Serra from San Francisco, he's a legend! Top lawyer
ReplyDeletecartel leader how far "up" do you think you have made it up.
ReplyDelete