Manafort to cooperate with Mueller probe after plea deal

[Gold Dragon]

Paul Manafort has agreed to cooperate with Robert Mueller

This new deal will stave off a scheduled second trial for Manafort, which was scheduled to begin in Washington later this month, as well as dismissing 10 mistrial counts from Manafort’s Virginia trial last month. Much of Manafort’s money and property will also be subject to forfeiture, according to the agreement.

In advance of Manafort’s court appearance Friday, Mueller’s team filed a new document that drops some charges and lays out what Manafort will admit to. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy against the United States (related to his foreign lobbying work for Ukraine and his finances), and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice (related to attempted witness tampering earlier this year).

...

And there are two curious happenings during the campaign in particular that Manafort was involved in (that we know about).

The Trump Tower meeting: For one, there’s that infamous meeting at Trump Tower that Donald Trump Jr. set up in June 2016 with a Russian lawyer and other Russia-tied figures. The three attendees of that meeting on the Trump side were Don Jr., Jared Kushner, and Manafort. No attendee has become a cooperator for Mueller. Perhaps the special counsel does think more remains to be learned about this meeting and hopes Manafort will tell him about it.

Oleg Deripaska and Konstantin Kilimnik:Perhaps even more suspicious are Manafort’s surreptitious contacts with two Russian nationals during the campaign. There’s his former client, the oligarch Oleg Deripaska, to whom Manafort was heavily indebted. And there’s Manafort’s longtime business associate Konstantin Kilimnik, who Mueller’s team has said is tied to Russian intelligence.

Just weeks after joining the Trump campaign, Manafort seemed to see an opportunity. He emailed Kilimnik in early April about his newly high media profile, writing, “How do we use to get whole,” and “Has OVD operation seen?” (Those are Deripaska’s initials.)

Then in July 2016, Manafort and Kilimnik exchanged emails about Deripaska again, as the Washington Post and the Atlantic reported last year. “I am carefully optimistic on the issue of our biggest interest,” Kilimnik said. “He will be most likely looking for ways to reach out to you pretty soon.” Manafort wrote that if Deripaska “needs private briefings we can accommodate.”

...

We still don’t know what happened between Manafort, Kilimnik, and Deripaska during the campaign. Maybe this where the action on Trump campaign/Russia collusion happened. Or maybe Manafort was just freelancing and trying to get himself paid, and it doesn’t involve Trump personally. But it’s one of the biggest loose ends about what happened in 2016.

Whatever the case, Manafort has now committed to tell the Mueller the truth. So buckle up.

 

[Gold Dragon]

https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/4883167/Manafort-D-C-Superseding-Criminal-Information.pdf

The plea deal has many interesting emails in its appendix where Manafort outlines to Yanukovych his entire strategy as Yanukovych's unofficial PR manager.

It is quite a unique inside look at international politics, propaganda machines and corruption in action.

 

[Baptist Believer]

I have only had a few minutes to skim through the plea, but it looks like they have strong evidence on one or more Obama officials.

I have heard from people in the know that there is criminal wrongdoing on both sides of the aisle. There is supposed to be at least one well-known Democrat who is under investigation by Mueller’s team.

I will be delighted if we get a good housecleaning from corruption.

 

[Gold Dragon]

I have only had a few minutes to skim through the plea, but it looks like they have strong evidence on one or more Obama officials.

I have heard from people in the know that there is criminal wrongdoing on both sides of the aisle. There is supposed to be at least one well-known Democrat who is under investigation by Mueller’s team.

I will be delighted if we get a good housecleaning from corruption.

I wouldn't be surprised if there were both democrats and republicans being investigated.

The emails on the plea deal refer to former European politicians who are part of a propraganda machine paid by Manafort to promote Yanukovyck's positions through guest speaking fees at "conferences".

The American politicians listed (R and D) are reports on their positions regarding Ukraine and notes from meetings they had with Yanukovyck's lobbyists controlled by Mansfort. No evidence of corruption from them.

 

[Gold Dragon]

Manafort and ‘senior Israeli’ spread anti-Semitism story to boost Ukraine leader

As part of the plea, Manafort also plead guilty to creating fake news about Yanukovych’s opponent, Yulia Tymoshenko being anti-Semitic through a senior Israeli cabinet official. It is suspected to be Defense Minister Avigor Liberman since he released such a statement in 2012. The goal was to get jews under Obama to pressure him to support Yanukovych.

 

[HankD]

Paul Manafort has agreed to cooperate with Robert Mueller

Manafort to cooperate with Mueller probe after plea deal

Ah yes the world waits in anticipation as the Manafort "Saga" continues to excite the Democrat base with the next Mueller attempt at a Putin-Trump campaign collusion (The original intent of the failed investigation).

Prediction: a nothingburger (possibly with cheese).

 

[Baptist Believer]

Ah yes the world waits in anticipation as the Manafort "Saga" continues to excite the Democrat base with the next Mueller attempt at a Putin-Trump campaign collusion (The original intent of the failed investigation).

“Failed?”

Hardly. There have already been five guilty pleas, a bunch of indictments, and numerous cooperating witnesses. The President himself has been named as an unindicted co-conspirator in a serious campaign finance violation.

Prediction: a nothingburger (possibly with cheese).

Don’t stake your credibility on it.

 

[HankD]

“Failed?”

Hardly. There have already been five guilty pleas, a bunch of indictments, and numerous cooperating witnesses. The President himself has been named as an unindicted co-conspirator in a serious campaign finance violation.

FAILED in the original intent. No Russian 2016 campaign collusion.

 

[Baptist Believer]

FAILED in the original intent. No Russian 2016 campaign collusion.

(1) Your allegation is false on its face. Since the investigation is not complete, there is no way to claim it is either a success or a failure. By your standard, I would have the right to say that Donald Trump's Presidency has FAILED because he has not fulfilled all of his promises.

(2) The "intent" or mandate of the Special Counsel (Order No. 3915-2017) is, from the title, "to investigate Russian interference with the 2016 Presidential Election and related matters."

Mueller has publicly revealed a fair amount of information regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election (along with indictments) and is clearly making a case that a number of people in leading roles in the Trump campaign were using the same tactics used in Ukrainian elections, all the way down to details such as chants of "Lock her up." The Trump campaign clearly attempted to coordinate with Russian leaders in a secret conspiracy (collusion) to obtain damaging information on Hillary Clinton in the infamous meeting at Trump Tower. We do not know whether or not they were successful, but Donald Trump, Jr.'s e-mail clearly indicates his intent. And over the course of a few weeks, the Trump campaign's story about that meeting kept changing to include the names of additional persons as reporters worked on the story to bring details to light. Paul Manafort was part of that meeting and can give testimony explaining what happened and whether of not they had success colluding with the Russian government.

Obviously, only a small part of the evidence has been released at this point -- mostly in the service of indictments which have garnered a number of guilty pleas. Mueller has also pursued a number of "matters" that arose as directly from his investigation and has had a number of guilty pleas. So the investigation cannot be considered a failure even if nothing else comes of it. It has yielded extensive results and more than paid for itself in forfeited assets.

 

[Matt Black]

It's only just beginning....

Popcorn, anyone?

 

[InTheLight]

It's only just beginning....

Popcorn, anyone?

When will it end?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL

 

[Baptist Believer]

When will it end?

Not sure. I hope as soon as possible. I suspect he is going to have more than a few Republicans and Democrats caught in his net.

 

[Gold Dragon]

This plea deal is already bad for some folks connected to Democrats.

Paul Manafort's Plea Deal Could Be Bad News For A Bunch Of Washington Operatives

Former Obama White House counsel Gregory Craig was the lead author of a report by law firm Skadden to Obama about the Tymoshenko - Yanukovych conflict. Skadden was paid $4.6 million by Manafort to create the report which was unreasonably favourable to Yanukovych against their own evaluation of the evidence. Mueller has referred Craig as well as others to federal prosecutors for failing to register as foreign agents.

There is also the involvement of the Podesta Group who were hired by Manafort to lobby for Yanukovych. They are frequently associated with Democrats and the Clintons.

The article and plea deal also mentions FBC Media that Manafort admitted to hiring to create fake news about Tymoshenko hiring someone to kill a Ukrainian official.

 

[Gold Dragon]

Even if Trump is not found to have any direct connection to Russia, the probe is already showing how wide and extensive the Russian operation is to influence US and global politics. It has poured millions (maybe billions) of dollars into influencing US politics from fake news factories, buying ex-politicians, lobby groups, White House counsellors and much more that is waiting to be uncovered. Manafort does seem to be the linchpin for a lot of it. You might say Mueller is "draining the swamp".

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Don’t stake your credibility on it.

What credibility?

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

When will it end?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL

That’s what Dick Nixon said

 

[canadyjd]

(1) Your allegation is false on its face. Since the investigation is not complete, there is no way to claim it is either a success or a failure. By your standard, I would have the right to say that Donald Trump's Presidency has FAILED because he has not fulfilled all of his promises.

(2) The "intent" or mandate of the Special Counsel (Order No. 3915-2017) is, from the title, "to investigate Russian interference with the 2016 Presidential Election and related matters."

Mueller has publicly revealed a fair amount of information regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election (along with indictments) and is clearly making a case that a number of people in leading roles in the Trump campaign were using the same tactics used in Ukrainian elections, all the way down to details such as chants of "Lock her up." The Trump campaign clearly attempted to coordinate with Russian leaders in a secret conspiracy (collusion) to obtain damaging information on Hillary Clinton in the infamous meeting at Trump Tower. We do not know whether or not they were successful, but Donald Trump, Jr.'s e-mail clearly indicates his intent. And over the course of a few weeks, the Trump campaign's story about that meeting kept changing to include the names of additional persons as reporters worked on the story to bring details to light. Paul Manafort was part of that meeting and can give testimony explaining what happened and whether of not they had success colluding with the Russian government.

Obviously, only a small part of the evidence has been released at this point -- mostly in the service of indictments which have garnered a number of guilty pleas. Mueller has also pursued a number of "matters" that arose as directly from his investigation and has had a number of guilty pleas. So the investigation cannot be considered a failure even if nothing else comes of it. It has yielded extensive results and more than paid for itself in forfeited assets.

"The Trump campaign clearly attempted to coordinate with Russian leaders in a secret conspiracy..." referring to the Trump tower meeting.

As you said, you're allegation is false on its face.
1. The evidence shows that the Russian woman (not Russian leaders) they met was involved with FUSION GPS (met with FUSION officials immediately before and after the tower meeting) and their effort on behalf of Cl*nton campaign and Dem national committee to develop dirt on Trump.

I'm glad you are so concerned about Russian interference. You would agree then that since Clint*n campaign and Dems paid for Russian intelligence to give false information to Mr. Steel* through FUSION GPS, that constitutes conspiracy on the part of Clint*n campaign and Dems with the Russians to influence the election.

 

[Adonia]

Even if Trump is not found to have any direct connection to Russia, the probe is already showing how wide and extensive the Russian operation is to influence US and global politics. It has poured millions (maybe billions) of dollars into influencing US politics from fake news factories, buying ex-politicians, lobby groups, White House counsellors and much more that is waiting to be uncovered. Manafort does seem to be the linchpin for a lot of it. You might say Mueller is "draining the swamp".

Obama told the Russians to "cut it out", well I guess he did not get them shaking in their boots as they never did. Muller needs to go after the Democrat angle as well because it is clear that they were also in the thick of things.

 

[Adonia]

(1) Your allegation is false on its face. Since the investigation is not complete, there is no way to claim it is either a success or a failure. By your standard, I would have the right to say that Donald Trump's Presidency has FAILED because he has not fulfilled all of his promises.

(2) The "intent" or mandate of the Special Counsel (Order No. 3915-2017) is, from the title, "to investigate Russian interference with the 2016 Presidential Election and related matters."

Mueller has publicly revealed a fair amount of information regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election (along with indictments) and is clearly making a case that a number of people in leading roles in the Trump campaign were using the same tactics used in Ukrainian elections, all the way down to details such as chants of "Lock her up." The Trump campaign clearly attempted to coordinate with Russian leaders in a secret conspiracy (collusion) to obtain damaging information on Hillary Clinton in the infamous meeting at Trump Tower. We do not know whether or not they were successful, but Donald Trump, Jr.'s e-mail clearly indicates his intent. And over the course of a few weeks, the Trump campaign's story about that meeting kept changing to include the names of additional persons as reporters worked on the story to bring details to light. Paul Manafort was part of that meeting and can give testimony explaining what happened and whether of not they had success colluding with the Russian government.

Obviously, only a small part of the evidence has been released at this point -- mostly in the service of indictments which have garnered a number of guilty pleas. Mueller has also pursued a number of "matters" that arose as directly from his investigation and has had a number of guilty pleas. So the investigation cannot be considered a failure even if nothing else comes of it. It has yielded extensive results and more than paid for itself in forfeited assets.

All these indictments of the American players were for actions from years ago and had nothing to do with the election. The Russians who were indicted was a complete sham, as Mr. Mueller knows full well that none of them will ever return to America to face the charges.

The main reason for the investigation in the first place was the supposed collusion by President Trump with the Russians. Almost 2 years in and no evidence in that sector has been found, only "crimes" in unrelated matters. Do not forget that it was former FBI director James Comey who was the leaker who set it all in motion, and he has admitted that he leaked the secure information he had for just that purpose. They tried to prevent Mr. trump from winning the presidency, and when that failed it was on to plan number 2, to force him from office in any way they could and thankfully their criminal and reprehensible actions are failing in that respect as well.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

"The Trump campaign clearly attempted to coordinate with Russian leaders in a secret conspiracy..." referring to the Trump tower meeting.

As you said, you're allegation is false on its face.
1. The evidence shows that the Russian woman (not Russian leaders) they met was involved with FUSION GPS (met with FUSION officials immediately before and after the tower meeting) and their effort on behalf of Cl*nton campaign and Dem national committee to develop dirt on Trump.

I'm glad you are so concerned about Russian interference. You would agree then that since Clint*n campaign and Dems paid for Russian intelligence to give false information to Mr. Steel* through FUSION GPS, that constitutes conspiracy on the part of Clint*n campaign and Dems with the Russians to influence the election.

I wouldn’t only be conserned with Russian monkey business either... broaden it to Filipino, Ukrainian, Iranian, Turkish etc. Whomever he could get financing from was tapped... however his own son has already implicated him regarding using Ruskie money to fund the golf courses... so there is a trail to set the blood hounds on right there. Personally, I would not trust him as far as I could throw him.

I believe this narsistic creton as much as I trusted Clinton