Agencies | New York:
Former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro has strengthened his legal defence team by bringing on board a lawyer who helped represent music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs in his high-profile criminal trial, according to court records filed on Thursday.
Maduro, who has pleaded not guilty to narcoterrorism and drug trafficking charges in the United States, is currently being held at a federal detention facility in Brooklyn while awaiting trial. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 30 in Manhattan federal court, where his lawyers are expected to outline efforts to have the charges dismissed.
The latest addition to the defence team is Anna Estevao of Harris Trzaskoma LLP, who was part of the legal team that represented Sean “Diddy” Combs during his widely publicised criminal trial. Estevao drew attention for her cross-examination of key prosecution witness Casandra Ventura, Combs’ former girlfriend.
Combs was acquitted of the most serious charges against him, including sex trafficking and racketeering, although he was convicted on lesser prostitution-related offences. He is currently appealing both his conviction and sentence.
Estevao joins Maduro’s legal team shortly after veteran defence attorney Barry Pollack moved to the same law firm. Pollack has indicated that he intends to challenge the legality of Maduro’s capture by US forces during a January operation in Caracas.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were detained during the January operation and subsequently transferred to New York to face criminal charges. Both have denied any wrongdoing. Prosecutors allege that Maduro used his position to facilitate international drug trafficking networks, accusations that he has consistently rejected.
The expansion of Maduro’s legal team is being viewed as a significant step in what is expected to be a closely watched and complex legal battle in the United States.
