Feds may be worried about interference in trial related to Trump associate Tom Barrack

Federal prosecutors may fear foreign interference in criminal cases related to Trump inauguration chairman Tom Barrack.

Barrack was charged in July with illegal foreign lobbying for the United Arab Emirates in an effort to influence Trump's foreign policy.

"Barrack was charged in a seven-count indictment with acting as an agent of the UAE between April 2016 and April 2018. He was also charged with obstruction of justice and making false statements to federal law enforcement agents," CNN reported at the time. "According to the indictment, Barrack and two other men charged Tuesday -- Matthew Grimes of Aspen, Colorado, and Rashid Sultan Rashid Al Malik Alshahhi, a UAE national -- capitalized on Barrack's status as a senior outside adviser to the Trump campaign to 'advance the interests of and provide intelligence to the UAE while simultaneously failing to notify the Attorney General that their actions were taken at the direction of senior UAE officials.'"

Following his arrest, Grimes sought the court's permission to remain free on bail but not wear an angle tracking bracelet.

On Tuesday, the New York Daily News said that the "surfer bro" had lost his bid to have the monitor removed.

"He regularly surfs and attends fitness classes. He cannot immerse the device in water and obviously the ankle bracelet is a subject of notice, comment, and embarrassment in his daily activities," his attorney wrote.

But Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Harris argued there was "a risk of flight in this case."

"He directly interacted with extremely wealthy and powerful foreign powers," Harris noted, adding that the "potential pressures from foreign powers is significant."

The judge asked if there was intelligence that a foreign power may intervene.

"I don't think I can [say] in a public setting. I don't think it would be appropriate," Harris replied.