Roger Stone Judge Considering Gag Order

On Feb. 1, 2019, Federal Judge Amy Berman Jackson said in court that she did not want Stone’s criminal case to be treated like a “book tour,” and was considering a gag order.

Since Stone was arrested last week by FBI agents on charges he tried to obstruct the Russia investigation and lied to Congress, he has conducted multiple television interviews. In the interviews, he suggested that the FBI arrested him in a plot to have Hillary Clinton take over in the White House, offered tips to people on what attire they should wear while being arraigned, and criticized the FBI regarding how they raided his house.

Judge Berman Jackson said she was concerned that Stone’s actions could taint the jury pool. She gave federal prosecutors and Stone’s lawyers until Feb. 8 to tell her if she should issue a gag order preventing all involved in the case from speaking publicly.

She also added that the gag order, if imposed, would not limit Stone from speaking in public. He would be able to “discuss foreign relations, immigration or Tom Brady.”

The judge told the court that there has been “considerable publicity” surrounding the case, which has been fulled by the actions of Stone. She later reminded him that he was involved in “a criminal proceeding, not a public relations campaign.”

Jackson handled several cases pertaining to the Mueller investigation. She has imposed a gag order on Paul Manafort.

Stone, who usually relishes the spotlight declined to comment to reporters after leaving the courtroom. He flashed his trademark Nixon victory sign before getting into a white SUV.

Written by Barbara Sobel
Edited by Cathy Milne-Ware

Sources:

USA Today: Judge warns Roger Stone: Russia probe charges not a ‘book tour’ and considers issuing gag order
NY Post: Judge weighs gag order in Roger Stone case, warns him against blabbing
CNN: Judge considers gag order in Roger Stone case

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