Overview
- Anna Maria Estevao, who joined Thursday, was formally filed into Maduro’s U.S. defense and brings recent high‑profile federal trial experience from the Sean “Diddy” case.
- The move follows Barry Pollack’s addition to the same firm and signals the defense is beefing up counsel to contest evidence, jurisdiction and procedural rulings.
- Maduro and his wife remain detained in Brooklyn, have pleaded not guilty to charges alleging narcotics trafficking, money laundering and related offenses, and are in the discovery phase of the case.
- Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein has limited sharing of certain evidence with unindicted co‑defendants while the court accepted modified OFAC licenses allowing Venezuela to fund legal fees, removing a key payment barrier for U.S. counsel.
- The parties asked for a short pause to review materials and will preview pretrial motions at a case review scheduled for June 30, when the defense is expected to press challenges including the legality of his capture and transfer from Caracas.