Ex-U.S. Rep. Buyer tries to keep ‘Trump’ from being uttered in insider trading trial, starting next week

Buyer, who represented Lafayette in Congress, says mentions of Trump could be ‘toxic’ in federal trial in NYC. Judge: That’s a ‘red herring.’ Plus, Tippecanoe Co. syringe exchange lines up new home

Steve Buyer (File photo)

Former U.S. Rep. Steve Buyer, who represented Greater Lafayette in Congress as recently as 2011, goes on trial Feb. 28 on insider trading charges that accuse him of making illegal, six-figure profits on deals while working as a consultant in 2018 and 2019.

First up was this twist heading toward jury selection next week in a trial that will include accusations of romantic liaisons and shadow accounts set up to cover tracks.

Buyer’s attorneys argued in a letter to a federal judge that he wouldn’t be able to get a fair jury if prosecution mentioned one part of the former congressman’s resume. Specifically, that Buyer had been part of former President Donald Trump’s transition team, dealing veterans issues, after the 2016 election.