Thread by @meghanncuniff

Good morning from Los Angeles, where I’m here for what should be an extraordinary hearing for Alexander Smirnov, an FBI informant accused of lying about the Bidens.

It follows an extraordinary order from Judge Otis Wright that said his lawyers likely are trying to help him flee.

Here's Judge Wright's order.

A lot of documents are available for free in the Courtlistener file: courtlistener.com/docket/6825562…

I got to know Judge Otis “Who The Hell Are You” Wright when he presided over a breach of contract trial involving Smokey Robinson.

Law360 reporter Craig Clough and I discussed the judge’s oddities afterward.

Here’s a highlight.

More on Judge Otis Wright’s willingness to highjack witness exams in front of the jury.

Update: Judge Wright was not persuaded to release Alexander Smirnov.

“There is nothing garden variety about this case.”

“The man will be remanded pending trial. Deputies!”

After such an inflammatory order last week, Wright was pretty low key on the bench.

For background, read up on the time he recused himself from a case after trial began, said he couldn’t trust the defense attorney then sealed his order after another judge already took the case.

https://twitter.com/meghanncuniff/status/1527332529069383685

The scene outside the federal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles right now, complete with someone in a Tyrannosaurus rex costume. 🦖

“I’ll take my smirnov on ice.”

Smirnov’s significant other was in court and offered to put him up, but prosecutors said she lives off a savings account and claimed not to know how much is in it.

They said it’s $3.7 million and someone who claims not to know they have access to that won’t be a good custodian.

I’m waiting to see if Smirnov’s lawyers are going to talk.

I’ll have a full article later today with a lot of background on Judge Wright.

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T-Rex has a few things to say. 🎤🦖

Smirnov's lawyer David Chesnoff spoke briefly outside the courthouse.

"It's our intention to seek relief in the 9th Circuit to try to get him out so he can assist in his defense."

Here’s David Chesnoff leaving with some of Smirnov’s supporters, including his girlfriend on the right with the blonde hair who is covering her face.

All my photos are available for licensing through @SplashNews.

Here's another video of ex-FBI informant Alexander Smirnov's lawyer David Chesnoff after court, along with Smirnov's girlfriend and others hiding their faces.