Sources familiar with the situation told ABC News that a Mar-a-Lago IT employee’s decision to assist special counsel Jack Smith and modify his prior testimony paved the way for prosecutors to seek new obstruction charges against former President Donald Trump and two other aides in a superseding indictment in Smith’s classified documents case last month.
Who is Yuscil Taveras?
In Smith’s claims that Trump, his aide Walt Nauta, and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira essentially tried to cover up as the government investigated Trump’s handling of classified documents after leaving the White House, the IT director, whose identity was confirmed as Yuscil Taveras, is expected to be a key witness.
To all accusations in the case, Trump, Nauta, and De Oliveira have all entered not guilty pleas.
It’s unclear what exactly was discussed during conversations between Taveras’ lawyer and the special prosecutor that led to the specific terms of their agreement, which did not require Taveras to enter a guilty plea, according to insiders.
According to sources familiar with the situation, Taveras signed into the arrangement after getting a target letter from Smith in June telling him he would probably be charged with perjury for allegedly giving false statements to investigators in grand jury testimony last March.
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Taveras, referred to in Smith’s superseding indictment as “Trump Employee 4,” recently changed attorneys as a result of receiving the target letter. According to recent court documents in the case, Stanley Woodward, Nauta’s attorney, had previously been his representation.
According to sources, Taveras provided accurate testimony outlining the actions supporting the additional obstruction claims in the supplemental indictment in exchange for Smith agreeing not to pursue him for allegedly self-perjury.
Taveras is the first person associated with either of Smith’s investigations into Trump who is known to have reached such an arrangement with him.
