Donald Trump Classified Documents Scandal: Mar-a-Lago Property Manager Makes First Court Appearance

Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos de Oliveira, the latest co-defendant in the Donald Trump classified documents scandal, made his initial appearance in a Miami courtroom on Monday.

Upon arrival, he was mobbed by reporters as he made his way to the James L. King Federal Courthouse in Miami, Florida. He became the third co-defendant, along with Walt Nauta and Trump, after a federal grand jury indicted him on four charges, including conspiracy to obstruct justice and making false statements to the FBI.

Chief Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres reportedly ordered the newest co-defendant in the case not to discuss anything regarding the case with potential witnesses except through counsel. The Mar-a-Lago property manager was then given a list of names that he cannot talk to regarding the case, according to CNN.

After his initial court appearance, he was once again surrounded by reporters but was escorted by federal agents and his attorney, John Irving. He declined to answer any of the reporters' questions.

Mar-a-Lago Employee Carlos de Oliveira Delays Plea, Did Not Have Florida Lawyer Representing Him

During his time in court, however, the 56-year-old Trump property manager did not enter a plea in court. Because of this, the plea has been delayed for now.

NBC News noted that he did not have a Florida-based lawyer to represent him, as his attorney, John Irving, is not based in the state. The same thing happened with co-defendant Walt Nauta, who also did not have a Florida-based attorney to represent him.

It seems that de Oliveira is looking for local counsel, though, as Irving told reporters, "We're working on ascertaining local counsel" before the hearing began. The defense asked the judge to give them more time to look for a local attorney to represent them but agreed to return before a judge in Fort Pierce on August 10.

The judge then set the signature bond for Carlos De Oliveira at $100,000 after the four charges against the Trump employee were read. He was then released on bail after the hearing.

Who Is Donald Trump Employee Carlos de Oliveira?

Before becoming the property manager for Mar-a-Lago, Carlos de Oliveira was a maintenance worker at the Donald Trump property. He worked there for over a decade and climbed the ranks to become one of the former president's most trusted workers.

He was only a little-known aide for Trump at Mar-a-Lago before the new developments for the Trump classified documents scandal came to light. It was noted that many close to Trump do not even know who he is. However, co-defendant Walt Nauta reportedly noted that de Oliveira is very loyal to the former president.

According to ABC News, de Oliveira was tasked by Trump himself to tell another Mar-a-Lago employee to delete the property's security camera footage during the summer of 2022. This was around the time Trump ordered boxes of classified documents to be hidden from the FBI.

Donald Trump reportedly ordered the security footage to be deleted after the FBI issued a subpoena for the said security footage.

Carlos de Oliveira also reportedly lied to the FBI, telling investigators in a January 13 voluntary interview that he was not involved in helping move and unload boxes at Mar-a-Lago. However, it was later found that he was indeed the one who helped Nauta move several boxes from the Trump residence to a storage room.

READ MORE: Court Finds Donald Trump Liable For Sexual Abuse

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Indicted Trump employee Carlos De Oliveira appears in court - MSNBC