A federal judge in New York has rejected an unusual bid by a former U.S. Justice Department official to join the legal defense of ex-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, ruling that the lawyer lacked authority to insert himself into the high-profile criminal case.
U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein ruled Monday that attorney Bruce Fein had “no legal basis” to become part of Maduro’s defense team without the former leader’s direct approval. The decision reverses an earlier administrative approval after Maduro’s court-appointed attorney objected to Fein’s involvement.
Fein, who served as an associate deputy attorney general during the Reagan administration, argued in court filings that people he described as close to Maduro—either within his inner circle or family—had approached him for help. He also claimed that Maduro had expressed interest in his legal assistance.
Judge Hellerstein rejected those claims, emphasizing that only Maduro himself can authorize legal representation in the case. The judge also denied Fein’s request to bring Maduro into court to confirm whether he wanted Fein added to his defense.
“If Maduro wishes to retain Fein, he has the ability to do so,” Hellerstein wrote in his order. “Fein cannot appoint himself to represent Maduro.”
Defense Counsel Pushes Back
The ruling followed objections from Barry Pollack, the Washington-based attorney currently representing Maduro. Pollack told the court that he had personally spoken with his client, who said he did not know Fein and had never authorized him to act on his behalf.
Fein later acknowledged that he had never communicated directly with Maduro by phone, video, or any other means.
Pollack was the only lawyer present with Maduro during his arraignment earlier this month in Manhattan federal court, following the dramatic seizure of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, by U.S. special forces in Caracas.
Maduro Challenges Arrest and Charges
At that hearing, Maduro denounced his capture as an illegal kidnapping and declared himself a prisoner of war. Pollack has indicated that the defense plans to file extensive motions challenging the legality of the military operation and asserting that Maduro is entitled to immunity as a former head of state.
Maduro and Flores have both pleaded not guilty to sweeping U.S. charges alleging that Maduro conspired with drug trafficking organizations to funnel massive quantities of cocaine into the United States. Federal prosecutors describe the case as one of the most significant narco-terrorism prosecutions ever brought against a foreign leader.
The couple remains detained without bail at a federal jail in Brooklyn. Their next court appearance is scheduled for March 17.
Requests for comment from both Fein and Pollack were not immediately returned.
