The defense case begins in the Lev Parnas trial.
Parnas's attorney Joseph Bondy calls Joseph Ahearn, a director of the pro-Trump super PAC America First Action.
Seen below: Texts between Parnas and Ahearn released by the House Intel Committee during Trump's first impeachment.
Parnas's attorney Joseph Bondy calls Joseph Ahearn, a director of the pro-Trump super PAC America First Action.
Seen below: Texts between Parnas and Ahearn released by the House Intel Committee during Trump's first impeachment.
Bondy asks whether there would be any questions that would cause Ahearn to invoke the Fifth Amendment.
"Potentially," Ahearn replies.
Read more of the Parnas and Ahearn messages here: judiciary.house.gov/uploadedfiles/…
"Potentially," Ahearn replies.
Read more of the Parnas and Ahearn messages here: judiciary.house.gov/uploadedfiles/…
Judge Oetken says that's enough to have him sign an immunity order.
The judge then calls out the jury.
The judge then calls out the jury.
Correction to above:
The texts were released by the House Judiciary Committee.
The texts were released by the House Judiciary Committee.
Bondy: Lev Parnas calls Joseph Ahearn to the witness stand.
Ahearn is sworn in.
Ahearn is sworn in.
Ahearn gives his CV for his political career, starting with working on the McCain presidential campaign in 2008 and Mayor Bloomberg's reelection campaign in 2009.
He says he also worked on Nan Hayworth and other political campaigns.
He says he also worked on Nan Hayworth and other political campaigns.
Bondy has him describe America First Action and how super PACs work, including the ban on coordination between the committee and the campaign.
Bondy has Ahearn explain the different rules for a super PAC vs. a joint fundraising committee.
Q: How many courses did you take in campaign finance?
"One," Ahearn replies, adding that the Fordham course wasn't on law.
He also describes taking seminars.
"One," Ahearn replies, adding that the Fordham course wasn't on law.
He also describes taking seminars.
Bondy asks him about the $350,000 donation from Global Energy Producers to America First Action.
This one.
This one.
Bondy asks Ahearn about the fundraising event at Mar a Lago, where Ahearn met Parnas.
Q: How did you first learn of Mr. Parnas's existence?
Through Stephen Katz of New York, he says.
Katz was a then-NY legislator who had a cannabis venture for pets.
CBD, Ahearn clarifies.
Q: How did you first learn of Mr. Parnas's existence?
Through Stephen Katz of New York, he says.
Katz was a then-NY legislator who had a cannabis venture for pets.
CBD, Ahearn clarifies.
Bondy asks Ahearn about people Parnas said he could steer to the super PAC, like Robert Pereira, the billionaire property developer.
He also asks Ahearn about former Energy Secretary Rick Perry.
He also asks Ahearn about former Energy Secretary Rick Perry.
Q: Who's Harry Sergeant?
A: I believe he's an energy executive, based out of Florida.
Background on Sergeant and Parnas courthousenews.com/lev-parnas-com…
A: I believe he's an energy executive, based out of Florida.
Background on Sergeant and Parnas courthousenews.com/lev-parnas-com…
Asked whether donors have made mistakes with contributions, Ahearn answers: Yes.
Ahearn says that he learned that Campaign Legal Center filed a complaint against Global Energy Producers.
Asked whether he spoke to Parnas about the merits of the FEC complaint, Ahearn says yes.
Prosecutor objects when Bondy asks about that conversation. Sustained.
Asked whether he spoke to Parnas about the merits of the FEC complaint, Ahearn says yes.
Prosecutor objects when Bondy asks about that conversation. Sustained.
Q: What does it mean to go full MAGA?
(Objection)
Judge: Sustained.
(Objection)
Judge: Sustained.
Q: Did Mr. Parnas ever speak to you about certain donors who may not be good donors?
A: I believe we had certain conversations about that.
Q: Do you know if Mr. Parnas and Mr. Correia were traveling during this period of time?
A: Yes.
A: I believe we had certain conversations about that.
Q: Do you know if Mr. Parnas and Mr. Correia were traveling during this period of time?
A: Yes.
They were going "all over the place" in "international travel," Ahearn says.
When Bondy asks if they were traveling in connection to Global Energy Producers, Ahearn says he doesn't know.
When Bondy asks if they were traveling in connection to Global Energy Producers, Ahearn says he doesn't know.
Bondy asks Ahearn about an event with Kevin McCarthy and Mike Pence—a fundraiser for Protect the House.
Background on that fundraiser here: courthousenews.com/indicted-giuli…
Background on that fundraiser here: courthousenews.com/indicted-giuli…
Q: How would you characterize your relationship with Mr. Parnas?
A: He was a contributor. We were (small pause) friends.
A: He was a contributor. We were (small pause) friends.
Bondy closes direct examination.
No questions from Kukushin's counsel.
10 minute recess before AUSA Nicolas Roos's cross
No questions from Kukushin's counsel.
10 minute recess before AUSA Nicolas Roos's cross
Cross-ex by AUSA Nicolas Roos has Ahearn concede that he's here because the court granted him immunity to testify.
Ahearn: “Yes, because of where we are and accusations being made, I thought that immunity was a good idea.”
Bondy's back up:
Q: We never met before today, did we?
A: No.
Bondy elicits from Ahearn that he did, however, speak to prosecutors, when they were considering him becoming a government witness.
Then, the tables turned, and he became the defense witness.
Q: We never met before today, did we?
A: No.
Bondy elicits from Ahearn that he did, however, speak to prosecutors, when they were considering him becoming a government witness.
Then, the tables turned, and he became the defense witness.
For clarity, prosecutors were going to call Ahearn, then did not.
The defense subpoenaed his testimony instead.
The parties are now speaking at sidebar, as Parnas decides whether or not he will testify.
The defense subpoenaed his testimony instead.
The parties are now speaking at sidebar, as Parnas decides whether or not he will testify.
The jury is excused for the day.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
