Breaking: First Charges Filed in Mueller Investigation

originally posted by: Xcathdra

originally posted by: Grambler

originally posted by: Throes

originally posted by: Gryphon66
Today is an amazing day overall I think we all have to admit.

We have seen direct evidence of the success of the Special Investigation headed up by Bob Mueller, and this is only "Day One."

Two alleged Trump campaign criminals are indicted, and we find out another Trump associate has already been convicted.

The best thing here is that these are just "warning shots" across someone's bow.

Today is only the beginning of a hopeful restoration of faith in our legal system, in our institutions like the FBI, etc. despite the best and most treasonous efforts of many to drive division between Americans.

Exactly! Can't wait to see what's uncovered from the investigation into The Podesta Group!

You mean you want Mueller to investigate the groups he outlined in the indictment?

Why.... YOU TRAITOR!!!

Considering Mueller has a massive conflict of interest he should not be investigating either side of this.

That's exactly what a growing number of Congress people were saying last week. And then suddenly Mueller felt on Friday that he had to prove he was worth something. So he used his channel to CNN to get the leak out. There's something fishy about CNN also, in all of this.

originally posted by: Grambler

originally posted by: spiritualzombie
a reply to: Grambler

When Trump was looking for dirt, why not go through a reputable intelligence gathering firm and get his intel through the work of a former mi-6 agent who’s highly regarded by U.S. intelligence agencies and British intelligence...?

Why did trump’s campaign choose to deal directly with Russians and why did Trump surround himself with foreign agents with secret connections to Russia?

So dumb.

Why does that make a difference?

Perhaps he could have went to a reputable firm like the Podesta group to work with russians.

so that means if all the Clinton campaign and DNC were looking for dirt on Trump why did they hide the payments to a law firm for that "opposition research", violating FEC disclosure laws?

Thats the problem with this opposition research debate.

If it is something all sides do then why do they hide it? If it is not illegal why do they hide it?

Intentionally hiding facts related to something that is supposedly legal makes no sense.

All I have to say is D.C is a mess, and not in a good way.. still no evidence trump colluded, I am to old to debate with everyone on this thread too. Just the bottom line, D.C is a mess... We the people should really be paying attention to this 💩.

a reply to: carewemust

A CNN anchor who has reported on FusionGPS extensively failed to disclose to anyone that he had links to them. His reporting of FusionGPS was in a positive light, making matters worse.

a reply to: Gryphon66

Like I said dont ask stupid questions then get pissed when it blows up in your face.

I'll take your post as you cant support your argument and refute facts so you chicken out and make excuses. Of all the people in this thread you are the last person to be accusing someone else of lying, given your history on that particular topic. Saying you are done with me wont stop me from refuting your posts and correcting your misleading statements.

Like I said.. you are better than that.

originally posted by: Gryphon66
a reply to: Xcathdra

A bit more to address the most pernicious lies in your post and then I'm done with you; I refuse to interact with those who repeatedly post dishonesty.

You are stating an obvious fact that lying to Federal authorities is a crime. You are not and have not stated who you think lied to Federal authorities from the Clinton Campaign or the DNC. If you have evidence beyond your innuendo and empty rhetoric, post it for all here to see.

I'm done with you.

First you lied three times just last night, so I assume you don't do much self reflection, which shows in your post.

You lied about saying steele source was not high level russian officials, you lied and said republicans paid for the steele dossier, you lied and said we had known for a long time that Hillartys team and the dnc paid for the dossier.

Hillarys team did not disclose that they paid for the dossier, which is what the crime is here.

Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committee both broke the law by hiding payments to unearth dirt on Donald Trump, according to a complaint filed Wednesday with the Federal Election Commission.

nypost.com...

Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) said Sunday that Republicans should curb their criticisms of the investigation into Russian election meddling and give special counsel Robert Mueller "a chance to do his job."

"I would encourage my Republican friends, give the guy a chance to do his job. The result will be known by the facts, by what he uncovers," Gowdy, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, said on "Fox News Sunday."

"The personalities involved are much less important to me than the underlying facts," he added. "So, I would say give the guy a chance to do his job."

The Hill

originally posted by: Xcathdra

originally posted by: Grambler

originally posted by: spiritualzombie
a reply to: Grambler

When Trump was looking for dirt, why not go through a reputable intelligence gathering firm and get his intel through the work of a former mi-6 agent who’s highly regarded by U.S. intelligence agencies and British intelligence...?

Why did trump’s campaign choose to deal directly with Russians and why did Trump surround himself with foreign agents with secret connections to Russia?

So dumb.

Why does that make a difference?

Perhaps he could have went to a reputable firm like the Podesta group to work with russians.

so that means if all the Clinton campaign and DNC were looking for dirt on Trump why did they hide the payments to a law firm for that "opposition research", violating FEC disclosure laws?

Thats the problem with this opposition research debate.

If it is something all sides do then why do they hide it? If it is not illegal why do they hide it?

Intentionally hiding facts related to something that is supposedly legal makes no sense.

That's what the Clintons do. They hide stuff, obfuscate, lie, smile, feign outrage, and hold their hands out for more dirty money.

The Clinton foundation failed to claim foreign donations for three or four years in a row starting in 2010. When she decided to run for president, they quietly filed amended returns. Timing is everything.

This is what they do. Then Hillary doggy-eyed, looks the public in the eye and says "it was an oversight".....and the government authorities buy it.

The New York Post is a tabloid.

The only way anyone knows about payments to the firm of Perkins Coie is because they were disclosed in proper paperwork.

a reply to: Gryphon66

Feins tein: No Evidence Of Russian Collusion With Trump Campaign, But There Are Rumors

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), pressed twice by CNN's Wolf Blitzer for evidence, said she still has seen none that would show collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

"There are all kinds of rumors around, there are newspaper stories, but that's not necessarily evidence," she said.

There Remains No Evidence Of Trump-Russia Collusion

Maxine Waters (D-CA) concedes there is no proof of collusion as does Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) joined by Trump nemesis Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

Where’s The Beef?: Democrats And Republicans Agree There’s No There There

The Ranking Democrat On The House Intelligence Committee Adam Schiff (D-CA) Told Jake Tapper On "State Of The Union" That There Is No "Definitive" Proof Of Collusion Between The Trump Campaign And Russia. "'I don't think we can say anything definitively at this point,' Schiff said. 'We are still at the very early stages of the investigation. The only thing I can say is that it would be irresponsible for us not to get to the bottom of this.'" (Tim Hains, "Adam Schiff: There Is No 'Definitive' Proof Of Any Trump-Russia Connection," RealClear Politics , 4/2/17)

TRUMP HATERS ADMIT: NO PROOF OF RUSSIA LINK

NYT, Nov 2016...

the FBI says there’s no definitive connection between Donald Trump and the Russian government, reaching that conclusion after a wide-ranging investigation law-enforcement officials who said any cyberattacks carried out were “aimed at disrupting the presidential election rather than electing Trump.” no conclusive evidence of deliberate communications between Trump and a Russian bank

James Clapper, March 2017...

“[Regarding] NSA, FBI…CIA…Director of National Intelligence (DNI), that had anything, that had any reflection of collusion between members of the Trump campaign and the Russians, there was no evidence of that included in our [January] report,” Clapper testified. He was asked, “…but does it exist?” He answered, “Not to my knowledge.”

James Comey, March 2017...

Comey was asked if he agreed with former Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Clapper who said there was “no evidence” of “collusion between the members of the Trump campaign and the Russians.” Comey replied, “I think he’s right about characterizing the [January] report which you all have read.”

Joe Manchin, May 2017...

“People that might have said they were involved, to what extent they were involved, to what extent the president might have known about these people or whatever, there is nothing there from that standpoint that we have seen directly linking our president to any of that.”

James Clapper, May 2017

At a hearing, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) asked Clapper if it’s still accurate that he has no knowledge of the existence of evidence of collusion between members of the Trump campaign and the Russians. Clapper replied, “It is.”

Maxine Waters, May 2017...

Rep. Waters has repeatedly stated that President Trump “has colluded with the Russians,” but when asked if she has seen evidence to back up her claims, Waters replied: “No, we have not.”

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is urging President Trump to not interfere with special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation after Paul Manafort, Trump's former campaign chairman, was charged on Monday.

"The president should let the special counsel do his job," Grassley, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, told reporters on Capitol Hill.

Grassley added in a separate statement that it's "important to let our legal system run its course."

"While we don’t have any more information regarding the current status of the special counsel’s investigation other than what has already been made public, it’s good to see the Justice Department taking seriously its responsibility to enforce the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA)," he said.

The Hill

originally posted by: Gryphon66
The New York Post is a tabloid.

The only way anyone knows about payments to the firm of Perkins Coie is because they were disclosed in proper paperwork.

and that paperwork violated FEC laws. The FEC requires campaign financed activity reporting to be done in such a manner where if someone unrelated to politics request the disclosure forms they can understand what the money went to.

Stating "legal advice" etc doesnt comply.

So again its not that they didnt file paperwork its that they intentionally omitted what the money went to in that paperwork.

originally posted by: Gryphon66
The New York Post is a tabloid.

The only way anyone knows about payments to the firm of Perkins Coie is because they were disclosed in proper paperwork.

Hey you can see my post.

Any comment on the the three lies you told in a row?

Are you denying that a law suit was filed because the NY post is a site you don't like?

The only reason we know of the payments is because congress was taking them to court, and they leaked they info.

The law was broken by not dislcosing properly what the payments were for, Opposition research.

“The DNC and Hillary for America reported dozens of payments totaling millions of dollars to the law firm Perkins Coie with the purpose described as ‘Legal Services’ or ‘Legal and Compliance Consulting,’ when in reality, at least some of those payments were earmarked for the firm Fusion GPS, with the purpose of conducting opposition research on Donald Trump,” the complaint says.

“By failing to file accurate reports, the DNC and Hillary for America undermined the vital public information role that reporting is intended to serve.”

According to FEC records, the Clinton campaign and DNC reported a total of 382 payments to Perkins Coie throughout the election cycle.

While it’s legal to pay a company to do opposition research, it’s against the law to hide the true purpose.

“By filing misleading reports, the DNC and Clinton campaign undermined the vital public information role of campaign disclosures,” Adav Noti, senior director of trial litigation and strategy at CLC and a former FEC official, explained in a statement.

nypost.com...

George Papadopoulos has been convicted of lying to the FBI about collusions with Russian agents during the campaign.

Michael Flynn, a member of the Trump Campaign (and White House Staff), met with Russian agents during the election process and then lied about that as well as other issues. He lost his job over the matter.

Donald Trump Jr., a member of the Trump family and Campaign, met with Russian agents during the election process and then lied about it. He finally had to confess the truth when the emails establishing his intentions in the meeting with Russian agents were going to be released. Donald Trump himself dictated the response to the media on Don Jr.s behalf.

Manafort, who has been indicted on a number of crimes, was also at the meeting to "get dirt" on Clinton from a Putin agent.

Jared Kutchner was also at the meeting with Russian agents get "get dirt" on Clinton.

There is zero doubt that these members of the Trump campaign directly colluded with Russian agents to interfere in our election in 2016. Three have been indicted; more indictments are on the way.

Not worth it.

Investigations are supposedly coming from Congress on everything Clinton.

If mistakes were made in an FEC filing, I'm sure it will come up.

The Washington Post reported Tuesday that the Democratic National Committee and Clinton's campaign funded some of the research by the firm Fusion GPS, but routed the monies through a law firm. Their campaign reports listed no payments to Fusion GPS and the expenses attributed to the law firm Perkins Coie are described as legal work, not opposition research, the paper noted.

Federal Election Commission expert Jan Baran told The Hill that while it is not illegal and improper for campaigns to hire opposition research, questions are raised when they fail to accurately report the money they spend on it.

“The issue is number one, did the campaigns pay for this service? And apparently, based on press reports, they did,” Baran said. “And number two, if they did, then it should have been accurately reported in some fashion on their FEC reports.”

Baran added that thus far, there are no signs of a FEC filing by the Clinton campaign or DNC for the opposition research expenses incurred for this dossier.

The Hill

originally posted by: Gryphon66
George Papadopoulos has been convicted of lying to the FBI about collusions with Russian agents during the campaign.

Michael Flynn, a member of the Trump Campaign (and White House Staff), met with Russian agents during the election process and then lied about that as well as other issues. He lost his job over the matter.

Donald Trump Jr., a member of the Trump family and Campaign, met with Russian agents during the election process and then lied about it. He finally had to confess the truth when the emails establishing his intentions in the meeting with Russian agents were going to be released. Donald Trump himself dictated the response to the media on Don Jr.s behalf.

Manafort, who has been indicted on a number of crimes, was also at the meeting to "get dirt" on Clinton from a Putin agent.

Jared Kutchner was also at the meeting with Russian agents get "get dirt" on Clinton.

There is zero doubt that these members of the Trump campaign directly colluded with Russian agents to interfere in our election in 2016. Three have been indicted; more indictments are on the way.

Why don't you mention Manafort's shady deals with The Podesta Group? Doesn't fit your agenda, does it?

What penalties can the FEC impose for violations of the law?

Most violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) result in civil penalties--fines arrived at through a conciliation process. Knowing and willful violations of certain FECA provisions can lead to imprisonment. The FEC has exclusive civil enforcement authority, and may refer criminal violations to the U.S. Department of Justice. For additional information see our page describing the complaint process. Note that sentencing guidelines for criminal violations of the law are set by the U.S. Sentencing Commission.

What is the Administrative Fine Program?

Under the Administrative Fine Program, committees that file reports late or fail to file are subject to civil money penalties, based on the tardiness of the report, the election-sensitivity of the report and the amount of activity disclosed on the report. For additional information, visit our Administrative Fine Program web page.

Federal Elections Commission - Compliance

a reply to: Throes

Should I check with you next time before I post?

Nah.

FEC Complaint: Hillary for American and DNC Failure to Disclose - The Campaign Legal Center

CLC filed a complaint with the FEC alleging the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign committee violated campaign finance law.

52 USC 30101 - Definitions

52 USC 30104 - Reporting Requirements

I suggest that anyone interested int he facts of the matter do their own research with the links provided.