Donald Trump's former adviser Peter Navarro found guilty of contempt of Congress over January 6 subpoena
WASHINGTON, DC: Former president Donald Trump's ex-adviser, Peter Navarro, 74, has faced a lengthy and contentious divorce battle with his ex-wife, Leslie LeBon, 59, since November 2018.
Now, Navarro has been found guilty of two counts of criminal contempt of Congress for his refusal to cooperate with a congressional panel's investigation into the January 6 riot at the US Capitol Building, per AP.
Why is Peter Navarro convicted?
The Justice Department stated that Navarro "made a choice" to defy the congressional committee's February 2022 subpoena.
This decision to not cooperate with the committee's investigation was a central element of the case against Navarro in his criminal contempt trial.
Navarro has been convicted by a Washington, DC, jury after a brief four-hour deliberation.
This verdict comes one day into the trial due to his failure to produce documents and comply with a subpoena request issued by the House Select Committee.
Navarro's defense centered around the claim that former Trump had invoked executive privilege, which, he argued, should have protected him from the subpoena.
However, US District Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Navarro did not have the proof required to demonstrate the existence of executive privilege, effectively junking it as a defense.
What are the charges against Peter Navarro?
Navarro now faces potential consequences that include a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine for each count of criminal contempt of Congress, with a minimum sentence of 30 days in prison for each offense.
During closing arguments, DOJ prosecutor Elizabeth Aloi told the jury, "The defendant chose allegiance to former President Donald Trump over compliance to the subpoena."
Peter Navarro not surprised by the guilty verdict
Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, Navarro expressed that he was not surprised by the guilty verdict in his criminal contempt trial.
"The day that Judge Mehta ruled that I could not use executive privilege as the defense in this case, the die was cast," he said.
"This was pro forma pro forma. We knew going in what the verdict was going to be," he added, saying that he will appeal the verdict.
"I said from the beginning, this is going to the Supreme Court. I said from the beginning, I am willing to go to prison to settle this issue," Navarro said.
"I’m willing to do that. But I also know that the likelihood of me going to prison is relatively small because we are right on this issue," he added.
Peter Navarro and wife Leslie LeBon divorced in 2018
LeBon, born on March 6, 1961, is a professional architect who came into the public eye during Trump's presidency as Navarro's wife. In 2018, LeBon initiated divorce proceedings due to "irreconcilable differences."
She was granted half of Navarro's pension benefits. LeBon and Navarro were once considered a power couple as they both were actively involved in local politics.