Cash Patel, an adviser to Donald Trump, testified Thursday before a federal grand jury investigating the handling of records moved to the former president’s Mar-a-Lago home and resort, a source familiar with the matter told CNN.
A federal judge had ordered Patel to testify before a grand jury, giving him immunity from prosecution for any information he provides in the investigation. The court’s decision is sealed and the grand jury’s proceedings are secret.
A spokesman for Patel said: “Mr Patel categorically denies that he reached any immunity ‘deal’ with the Government. Instead, his testimony was compelled over his objection through the only legal remedy available to the government – the grant of qualified immunity.”
Patel was subpoenaed before the secret Judiciary Committee last month but refused to answer questions asserting his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination.
Patel is one of a handful of advisers around Trump after his presidency who could be at legal risk related to the Mar-a-Lago situation. He served as a national security and defense official during the Trump administration and this summer became one of Trump’s nominees to interact with the National Archives and the Justice Department as both agencies sought to recover classified records held by Trump from his presidency.
The Washington Post first reported Patel’s appearance.
This story has been updated with additional details.