Judge who signed off FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago represented Jeffrey Epstein’s workers

The Florida judge who signed off the FBI raid on Donald Trump’s mansion represented Jeffrey Epstein’s workers, it has been revealed.

Bruce Reinhart acted for several employees of the billionaire pedophile before he sanctioned the ‘unannounced’ search on Mar-a-Lago yesterday.

He left the local US Attorney’s office over a decade ago to set up a private practice and help staff members including his Lolita Express pilots and his scheduler.

He was accused in a lawsuit of breaking the Justice Department’s policies by using information from his previous job to benefit in the private sector, which he denied.

Meanwhile Reinhart was also revealed to have donated to Barack Obama’s campaign in 2008 and Jeb Bush’s when he ran against Trump in 2015.

The FBI searched Trump’s estate as part of a probe into whether he took classified records from the White House to his Florida mansion.

The ex-president revealed the raid in a lengthy statement and said the Feds broke into a safe at his home as they hunted the documents.

The agents are reported to have seized 15 boxes worth of classified information but have not commented on what they contained.

Epstein

Bruce Reinhart (left) acted for several employees of the billionaire pedophile (right) before he sanctioned the ‘unannounced’ search on Mar-a-Lago yesterday

He helped the billionaire pedophile's pilots, scheduler Sarah Kellen and who he called his 'Yugoslavian sex slave' Nadia Marcinkova (pictured)

He helped the billionaire pedophile’s pilots, scheduler Sarah Kellen and who he called his ‘Yugoslavian sex slave’ Nadia Marcinkova (pictured)

Ghislaine Maxwell is pictured with Sarah Kellen, former assistant of Jeffrey Epstein who was represented by Reinhart

Ghislaine Maxwell is pictured with Sarah Kellen, former assistant of Jeffrey Epstein who was represented by Reinhart

Pictured: Pilot Larry Visoski in the cockpit of Epstein's Gulfstream G550. He was represented by Reinhart

Pictured: Pilot Larry Visoski in the cockpit of Epstein’s Gulfstream G550. He was represented by Reinhart

Pilot David Rodgers (pictured last year) was another the pilots to be represented by Reinhart

Pilot David Rodgers (pictured last year) was another the pilots to be represented by Reinhart

Sources told the New York Post Reinhart approved the FBI warrant that let them ransack the Florida mansion yesterday morning.

Agents had filed two requests with the federal magistrate in West Palm Beach before the search was carried out.

The office is made up of three judges – William Matthewman, Ryon McCabe and Reinhart, who was assigned the cases.

The two warrant applications entered the system on Monday but do not disclose that Trump was the target.

Reinhart was made a magistrate judge four years ago after spending 10 years in the private sector where he worked with Epstein’s staff.

He helped the billionaire pedophile’s pilots Larry Visoski, David Rodgers, Larry Morrison and Bill Hammond.

He also worked with scheduler Sarah Kellen and Nadia Marcinkova, who was known as his ‘Yugoslavian sex slave’.

On New Year’s Day 2008 he left his job at the South Florida US Attorney’s Office and went to work with the employees the next day.

His official biography says he ‘managed a docket that covered the full spectrum of federal crimes, including narcotics, violent crimes, public corruption, financial frauds, child pornography and immigration’.

Marcinkova (pictured left and right) was among those dragged into the Epstein court cases

Marcinkova (pictured left and right) was among those dragged into the Epstein court cases

Marcinkova (pictured left and right) was among those dragged into the Epstein court cases

Sarah Kellen (left, with Maxwell) was accused of playing a pivotal role in Epstein's predatory empire

Sarah Kellen (left, with Maxwell) was accused of playing a pivotal role in Epstein’s predatory empire

Jeffrey Epstein's 'Lolita Express' pilot Larry Visoski (pictured last year) was one of those represented by Reinhart

Jeffrey Epstein’s ‘Lolita Express’ pilot Larry Visoski (pictured last year) was one of those represented by Reinhart

This Boeing 727 owned by Epstein reportedly had a bed inside that was issued for sex romps with underage girls

This Boeing 727 owned by Epstein reportedly had a bed inside that was issued for sex romps with underage girls

Reinhart was hauled over the coals in a 2011 Crime Victims’ Rights Act lawsuit which accused him of violating Justice Department policies by switching sides.

It implied the attorney had leveraged inside information about the probe into Epstein’s affairs to gain favor with him.

He flatly denied this and said he was nothing to do with the team that was looking into the pedophile’s horrific crimes.

But two years later his former supervisors in the US Attorney’s Office said ‘while Bruce E Reinhart was an assistant U.S. attorney, he learned confidential, non-public information about the Epstein matter’.

He hit back in 2018, telling the Miami Herald: ‘Even assuming I had participated ”personally and substantially” in the Epstein investigation [which I did not], the relevant Department of Justice regulations only prohibited me from communicating with, or appearing before, the United States on behalf of Mr. Epstein.’

He made clear in the statement he had represented the disgraced financier’s workers but had nothing to do with him – yet would not say who paid for them.

But in Newsmax appearances, he appeared to shrug off accusations against Epstein and his workers.

It also emerged today Reinhart donated to Obama’s campaign twice in 2008 totaling $2,000, as well as to Trump rival Bush in 2015.

It also emerged today Reinhart donated to Obama's campaign twice in 2008 totaling $2,000, as well as to Trump rival Jeb Bush in 2015

It also emerged today Reinhart donated to Obama’s campaign twice in 2008 totaling $2,000, as well as to Trump rival Jeb Bush in 2015

In Newsmax appearances, he appeared to shrug off accusations against Epstein and his workers

Reinhart

In Newsmax appearances, he appeared to shrug off accusations against Epstein and his workers

The search on Trump’s house intensifies the probe into how classified documents ended up in boxes of White House records located at Mar-a-Lago earlier this year.

It occurs amid a separate grand jury probe into efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election and adds to the potential legal peril for Trump.

Trump and his allies sought to cast the search as a weaponization of the criminal justice system and a Democratic-driven effort to keep him from a 2024 bid.

This is despite the White House saying it had no prior knowledge of it and that FBI director Christopher Wray was appointed by Trump five years ago.

Trump wrote: ‘These are dark times for our Nation, as my beautiful home, Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, is currently under siege, raided, and occupied by a large group of FBI agents.’

He said: ‘Nothing like this has ever happened to a President of the United States before.’

‘After working and cooperating with the relevant Government agencies, this unannounced raid on my home was not necessary or appropriate.’

Justice Department spokesman Dena Iverson declined to comment on the search, including about whether AG Merrick Garland had personally authorized it.

Trump did not elaborate on the basis for the search but the Justice Department has been investigating the potential mishandling of classified information.

The FBI agents were joined by sheriff's deputies at Trump's Mar-a-Lago complex to contain the extraordinary scenes

The FBI agents were joined by sheriff’s deputies at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago complex to contain the extraordinary scenes

Trump's supporters were quick to turn out after learning he'd been raided by the FBI. His fans say it's a double standard and a desperate attempt by the left to thwart a potential 2024 run

Trump’s supporters were quick to turn out after learning he’d been raided by the FBI. His fans say it’s a double standard and a desperate attempt by the left to thwart a potential 2024 run 

Supporters of former President Donald Trump were spotted outside his Mar-a-Lago home on Monday to back the ex-Commander in Chief after it was announced it had been raided by the FBI

Supporters of former President Donald Trump were spotted outside his Mar-a-Lago home on Monday to back the ex-Commander in Chief after it was announced it had been raided by the FBI

Trump confirmed the raid - reportedly as part of an investigation into whether the former president took classified documents with him when he left the White House - on Monday evening

Trump confirmed the raid – reportedly as part of an investigation into whether the former president took classified documents with him when he left the White House – on Monday evening

Some came in their cars and were camped out in the beds of their trunks, almost entirely in a show of support for the twice-impeached Trump

Some came in their cars and were camped out in the beds of their trunks, almost entirely in a show of support for the twice-impeached Trump

It comes after the National Archives and Records Administration said it had received from Mar-a-Lago 15 boxes of White House records, including documents containing classified information, earlier this year.

The National Archives said Trump should have turned over that material upon leaving office, and it asked the Justice Department to investigate.

There are multiple federal laws governing the handling of classified records and sensitive government documents, including statutes that make it a crime to remove such material and retain it at an unauthorized location.

Though a search warrant does not suggest that criminal charges are near or even expected, federal officials looking to obtain one must first demonstrate to a judge that they have probable cause that a crime occurred.

Two people familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the search happened earlier Monday and was related to the records probe.

Agents were also looking to see if Trump had additional presidential records or any classified documents at the estate.

Trump has previously maintained that presidential records were turned over ‘in an ordinary and routine process.’

His son Eric said on Fox News on Monday night he had spent the day with his father and the search happened because ‘the National Archives wanted to corroborate whether or not Donald Trump had any documents in his possession’.

Asked how the documents ended up at Mar-a-Lago, Eric said the boxes were among items that got moved out of the White House during ‘six hours’ on Inauguration Day.

He said: ‘My father always kept press clippings. He had boxes, when he moved out of the White House.’

Trump emerged from Trump Tower in New York City shortly before 8 pm and waved to bystanders before being driven away in an SUV.

Many held pro-Trump signs, including ones for a presumptive 2024 campaign and even one for Trump's previous campaign with former Vice President Mike Pence's name crossed out

Many held pro-Trump signs, including ones for a presumptive 2024 campaign and even one for Trump’s previous campaign with former Vice President Mike Pence’s name crossed out

A reporter is heckled by anti-media and pro-Trump protesters across the waterfront from Mar-A-Lago

A reporter is heckled by anti-media and pro-Trump protesters across the waterfront from Mar-A-Lago

Authorities stand outside Mar-a-Lago, the residence of former president Donald Trump, amid reports of the FBI executing a search warrant as a part of a document investigation

Authorities stand outside Mar-a-Lago, the residence of former president Donald Trump, amid reports of the FBI executing a search warrant as a part of a document investigation

At least one anti-Trump protester was spotted on the grounds with signs calling Trump names like 'punk' and 'p***y'

At least one anti-Trump protester was spotted on the grounds with signs calling Trump names like ‘punk’ and ‘p***y’

One of the protesters was publicly identifying as a member of the far right Proud Boys and the 'Bikers for Trump' group

One of the protesters was publicly identifying as a member of the far right Proud Boys and the ‘Bikers for Trump’ group

Eric Trump is spotted leaving Trump Tower; he told Fox News that he was the one who got notice of the raid and told his father about it

Eric Trump is spotted leaving Trump Tower; he told Fox News that he was the one who got notice of the raid and told his father about it

What WERE FBI agents looking for at Mar-a-Lago?

FBI agents who raided Donald Trump’s Florida estate have been in discussions since June with his legal team about a trove of presidential documents on the property, it emerged on Monday night, as speculation continued to swirl about what exactly they were looking for.

The raid was carried out on Monday, and confirmed by Trump himself. The White House is believed to have learnt of the raid when the rest of the world did, and was not informed in advance.

In February it emerged that Trump had taken classified documents out of the White House when he left in January 2021, and some of those were handed over to the National Archives.

Monday’s raid is thought likely to be related to the remaining boxes of documents, although it remained unclear why the FBI decided to raid the estate.

CNN reported on Monday evening that investigators were at Mar-a-Lago on June 8, meeting Trump’s lawyers to discuss the documents.

Trump was not questioned, the network reported, but stopped by and greeted the investigators and his two attorneys.

The two attorneys then took the investigators to a basement room and showed them where the documents were stored.

Five days later, Trump’s attorneys received a letter asking them to enhance the security on the store room, and a padlock was then placed on the door.

It’s unclear why the FBI then decided to raid the property.

 

In his first public remarks since news of the search surfaced, Trump made no mention of it during a tele-town hall on behalf of Leora Levy, the Connecticut Republican he has endorsed in Tuesday´s US Senate primary to pick a general election opponent against Democratic US Senator Richard Blumenthal.

Trump gave his public backing to Levy late last week, calling her on Monday the best pick ‘to replace Connecticut´s joke of a senator.’

But in a social media post he called the search a ‘weaponization of the Justice System, and an attack by Radical Left Democrats who desperately don´t want me to run for President in 2024’.

GOP National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel denounced the search as ‘outrageous’ and said it was a reason for voters to turn out in November.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican who is considered a potential 2024 presidential candidate, said it was ‘an escalation in the weaponization’ of US government agencies.

Kevin McCarthy, the House Minority Leader, said in a tweet that the Justice Department ‘has reached an intolerable state of weaponized politicization’ and said that if Republicans win control of the U.S. House, they will investigate the department.

That Trump would become entangled in a probe into the handling of classified information is all the more striking given how he tried during the 2016 presidential election to exploit an FBI investigation into his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton over whether she mishandled classified information via a private email server she used as secretary of state.

Then-FBI Director James Comey concluded Clinton had sent and received classified information but the FBI did not recommend criminal charges because it determined Clinton had not intended to break the law.

Trump lambasted that decision and then stepped up his criticism of the FBI as agents began investigating whether his campaign had colluded with Russia to tip the 2016 election.

He fired Comey during that probe, and though he appointed Wray months later, he repeatedly criticized him too as president.

Thomas Schwartz, a Vanderbilt University history professor who studies and writes about the presidency, said there is no precedent for a former president facing an FBI raid – even going back to Watergate.

Some also held invectives against Joe Biden, with one wearing a t-shirt of the president's face saying 'Not my Dictator'

Some also held invectives against Joe Biden, with one wearing a t-shirt of the president’s face saying ‘Not my Dictator’

Armed Secret Service agents stand outside an entrance to former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate on Monday night

Armed Secret Service agents stand outside an entrance to former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate on Monday night

President Richard Nixon was not allowed to take tapes or other materials from the White House when he resigned in 1974, Schwartz noted, and many of his papers remained in Washington DC for years before being transferred to his presidential library in California.

‘This is different and it is a sign of how unique the Trump period was,’ said Schwartz, author of ‘Henry Kissinger and American Power: A Political Biography.’ ‘How his behavior was so unusual.’

The probe is hardly the only legal headache confronting Trump.

A separate investigation related to efforts by Trump and his allies to undo the results of the 2020 presidential election – which led to the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol – has also been intensifying in Washington.

Several former White House officials have received grand jury subpoenas.

And a district attorney in Fulton County, Georgia, is investigating whether Trump and his close associates sought to interfere in that state’s election, which was won by Democrat Joe Biden.

Trump's Florida home: Mar-a-Lago, where agents were reportedly investigating whether Trump took classified documents with him when he left the White House

Trump’s Florida home: Mar-a-Lago, where agents were reportedly investigating whether Trump took classified documents with him when he left the White House

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