Officials in Palm Beach, Fla. are reportedly making contingency plans in case Donald Trump is indicted by Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance while he is staying at Mar-a-Lago.
According to Politico, law enforcement officials have discussed ‘how to handle the thorny extradition issues that could arise if an indictment moves forward.’
Trump’s location could affect extradition proceedings. He’s reportedly leaving Mar-a-Lago for the season and temporarily relocating to his Bedminster, New Jersey property. This move could result in Trump losing some protection.
Florida’s extraction statute gives Trump ally Gov. Ron DeSantis the ability to intervene and investigate whether an indicted “person ought to be surrendered” to law enforcement officials from another state. New Jersey has a similar statute but it is unlikely that Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy would intervene to stop Trump’s extradition.
“The statute leaves room for interpretation that the governor has the power to order a review and potentially not comply with the extradition notice,” Joe Abruzzo, clerk of the Circuit Court of Palm Beach County told Politico.
Abruzzo who would be in charge of opening a fugitive-at-large case is a former close associate of President Joe Biden’s brother, Frank. He told Politico that despite his friendship with the Bidens “the full extent of the law will be followed and carried out appropriately, without bias.”
New York District Attorney Cy Vance is investigating whether Trump and the Trump Organization engaged in tax fraud, insurance fraud and other schemes to defraud, including potentially providing false information to financial institutions or banks about the value of certain buildings and assets.
