Pulido bribery case: what the custody means for the court

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorWelcome back. The one-sentence version: a businessman wanted for years in a Venezuela bribery case is now in United States custody.

2. 

   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentOkay, and who is he? I just woke up, or I never went to sleep.

3. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorHis name is Alvaro Pulido. Newsmax reports he is accused of paying bribes to top Venezuelan officials in exchange for lucrative state contracts.

4. 

   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentAllegedly paying them. Important word.

5. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorVery important. He has not been convicted of anything, and the Washington Examiner and AP News carry the same basic account of the custody.

6. 

   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo what happened exactly? Somebody grabbed him?

7. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThe reports say he was taken into custody in Venezuela.

8. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThe details of how that unfolded are not in what we have, so we will not guess.

9. 

   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentNot clear yet. Got it.

10. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorHere is how we got here.

11. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorHe received two indictments from Miami federal court: one in twenty nineteen, and another in twenty twenty-one, both tied to the same alleged scheme.

12. 

    Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentTwo indictments. That's a lot of paper for one guy.

13. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorIt is. Our earlier reports tonight said a Miami court date awaits, and that part has not changed.

14. 

    Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentWho does this actually affect? Most people never touch a Venezuelan state contract.

15. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorDirectly, it affects him, the prosecutors, and anyone whose name comes up in the case.

16. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorFor everyone else, it is a signal that these old cases can still move.

17. 

    Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSeven years, though.

18. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorWell, wanted for years, indicted in twenty nineteen. The judicial system moves deliberately, which is why these cases take so long to resolve.

19. 

    Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentAnd the other side? Is there one? Because it sounds like everyone's happy.

20. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorProsecutors will say custody proves the system finishes what it starts.

21. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorA defense lawyer will say an indictment is an accusation, not a verdict, and that is fair too.

22. 

    Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentThat is how it's supposed to work, right? Accused until proven otherwise.

23. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorExactly. What to watch next is his first appearance in Miami federal court, and whether a judge sets a date for anything further.

24. 

    Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentLater this half hour, who is Susan Dell, and why is an airport clip trending?

25. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo the one-sentence version now: an accused man is in custody, a court date is coming, and nothing is decided.

26. 

    Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo the fast part is over and the waiting room begins.

27. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorAnd I hear the waiting room has a vending machine, which is the only thing there that works quickly.

Also on air

• 3:10 PM ET on The Weekend Shift