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Trump's personal assistant Walt Nauta pleads not guilty at arraignment

One of former President Donald Trump's closest aides went before a judge on Thursday after having his arraignment twice delayed.
Trump assistant Walt Nauta to be arraigned
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Walt Nauta, former President Donald Trump's personal assistant, appeared before a federal judge on Thursday for his arraignment. 

Nauta is a co-defendant in the federal indictment against Trump regarding the former president's handling of classified documents. Nauta faces six felony counts, including withholding a document, corruptly concealing a document and conspiracy to obstruct justice. 

His lawyer entered a not guilty plea on Nauta's behalf.

Nauta had his arraignment delayed twice last month after failing to appear with local representation. 

Nauta has been represented by Stanley Woodward, who is based out of Washington, D.C. Court filings in late June indicated that Woodward had not yet been admitted pro hac vice, meaning not granted permission to litigate before the federal court in South Florida. 

Sasha Dadan, a South Florida-based attorney, was also at Thursday's hearing, representing Nauta.

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Trump allegedly directed Nauta to move boxes of documents to conceal them from the former president's attorney, the FBI and the grand jury. The indictment cites text messages showing Nauta was involved in the moving of boxes. 

When the FBI asked about his involvement, the indictment says Nauta provided false statements, saying he didn't know where the boxes had been stored.

Trump was ordered by Judge Jonathan Goodman not to speak to Nauta about the case. 

Trump is facing 37 counts related to the probe. Thirty-one of those counts include willful retention of national defense information. 


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