Trial Overview
In a significant trial involving an alleged conspiracy to steal funds during the COVID-19 pandemic, a Minneapolis jury began deliberations without two of its members. The trial is the first in a series of expected cases related to the theft of pandemic relief funds.
Alleged Bribe Incident
The incident, described by a prosecutor as reminiscent of mob movie plots, involved an alleged attempt to bribe a juror. According to an FBI search warrant, a woman arrived at the home of Juror 52 on a Sunday night. She handed a large bag to the juror’s relative, claiming it was a present for the juror. The bag, marked with “Butter Mys,” contained $120,000 in cash. The woman allegedly instructed the relative to tell the juror to vote “not guilty” in exchange for more money.
Juror’s Response
Juror 52 reported the incident to the police, who found the cash inside the bag, comprising $100, $50, and $20 bills. This act was immediately recognized as an attempt to bribe the jury, a serious interference with the judicial process.
Defense’s Reaction
In court, the defense attorney described the accusation as troubling and upsetting. The development added a dramatic twist to the seven-week trial over the alleged theft of COVID funds.
Concerns Over Juror Anonymity
A critical issue raised by the incident is how the woman’s identity and address became known. Jurors are supposed to remain anonymous, and only the legal teams and defendants had access to their personal information. This breach of confidentiality led the judge to confiscate all defendants’ phones and order their detention until a verdict is reached.
Replacement of Jurors
Following the incident, the judge replaced the two affected jurors to ensure the integrity of the deliberation process.
This factual recount of the incident provides a clear and concise narrative of the events surrounding the alleged bribery attempt in the major fraud trial.
