The case would officially remain pending while the others, who were not pardoned by Trump before he left office in January, await trial. ADADFollowing Bannon’s pardon, which covers only federal charges, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office began its own investigation of the alleged scam, raising the possibility that Bannon could face state fraud charges. If his case remains open in federal court, it is not expected to affect the ability of state prosecutors to file charges. It is not clear why the U.S. attorney is challenging what was expected to be a straightforward dismissal of Bannon’s case, or whether prosecutors believe the case against the remaining three would suffer strategically at trial should Bannon be officially excluded. The U.S. attorney’s office declined to comment further about its request to keep Bannon’s case pending.

Source: Washington Post March 19, 2021 17:44 UTC