Charlie Trie to be released from halfway houseBy Paul Courson/CNN
February 25, 1999
Web posted at: 11:06 a.m. EST (1606 GMT)
WASHINGTON (February 25) -- A U.S. District Court judge ruled Wednesday that former Democratic fund-raiser Charlie Trie, a friend of President Bill Clinton's, can be released from a halfway house until his trial begins.
Trie, indicted in Arkansas on charges of illegal campaign donations, will be released as early as Thursday after spending nearly a month at a Washington area facility defense lawyers have said is incapable of accommodating full-time prisoners. His lawyer complained there were occasions that Trie was not fed.
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Democratic fundraiser Charlie Trie will be released from the halfway house where he has been staying
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Trie's lawyer also contended his client is not a flight risk.
Judge Paul Friedman ruled as part of Trie's release, he would order both electronic monitoring and a curfew.
Trie told CNN he plans on living temporarily in Virginia Beach.
Federal attorney George Vien had argued against the release, saying Trie tried to mislead authorities by claiming theft when he applied for a replacement passport. In fact, his passport had been seized when he was arrested.
The judge said the conditions of his release order will include a ban prohibiting Trie from applying for a passport, visa, or other travel papers.
"I hope a month of being locked up has sent a message as well," Vien said.
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