Mega-Thread: Mueller investigation

[Dome Fossil]

Are we absolutely sure Giulliani isn't just 3 monkeys in an overcoat at this point?

I've been thinking that he's definitely something wearing a Giuliani skin suit, I'm just not sure what. Most likely that bug thing from Men in Black.

He needs sugar, water and an interview camera.

[Shadowferal]

Cohen’s business partner strikes plea deal: report

The New York Times reported on Tuesday that Evgeny Freidman agreed to cooperate with state and federal prosecutors, potentially raising pressure on Cohen to assist in the special counsel investigation into Russia's 2016 election meddling.

In return, Freidman got five years of probation for pleading guilty Tuesday to a single count of evading $50,000 worth of taxes. Freidman, who was reportedly disbarred earlier this month, had faced four counts of criminal tax fraud and one of grand larceny, each carrying a possible sentence of up to 25 years.

Freidman, a Russian immigrant nicknamed the "Taxi King," has been partners with Cohen in the taxi business for years, The Times reported.

Cohen is reportedly under investigation for bank fraud and campaign finance law violations.

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And another one bites it...

[Paranoid Android]

Breaking: Avenatti law firm hit today with $10 million judgment in US Bankruptcy Court. Justice Dept lawyer says Avenatti also defaulted on back taxes he’d agreed to pay. Story ahead.

https://twitter.com/finneganLAT/stat...285319168?s=19

So this is not Avenatti personally, but his law firm. So if this is a story ok, let's roll with it.

Wow! What a coincidence though this law firm gets hit with judgement by lawyer representing Stormy Daniels. It's not like the Orange Turd is a vindictive ahole who just recently asked postmaster to raise rates on Amazon.

[Edge-]

Man, I wouldn't want to be Cohens pair of pants when he learned about this info.

[Levelfive]

Man, I wouldn't want to be Cohens pair of pants when he learned about this info.

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckra...rnment-witness

"Let's cast this guy as Cohen's crooked (former) business partner. We'll call him the "Taxi King.""

"That's ridiculous. No one would ever believe that."

[PACOX]

INB4 the WH tries to strike a deal with Mueller.

"We'll give.you all these people if you just leave us alone"

[Dontrike]

Cohen’s business partner strikes plea deal: report

The New York Times reported on Tuesday that Evgeny Freidman agreed to cooperate with state and federal prosecutors, potentially raising pressure on Cohen to assist in the special counsel investigation into Russia's 2016 election meddling.

In return, Freidman got five years of probation for pleading guilty Tuesday to a single count of evading $50,000 worth of taxes. Freidman, who was reportedly disbarred earlier this month, had faced four counts of criminal tax fraud and one of grand larceny, each carrying a possible sentence of up to 25 years.

Freidman, a Russian immigrant nicknamed the "Taxi King," has been partners with Cohen in the taxi business for years, The Times reported.

Cohen is reportedly under investigation for bank fraud and campaign finance law violations.

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And another one bites it...

So between the nothing burgers in the past and this nothing slider right here that means we have zero plea deals and nothing going on, right? /s

[Breccia]

The New York Times reported on Tuesday that Evgeny Freidman agreed to cooperate with state and federal prosecutors

Key word, right there.

Cohen working with a Russian connection who admitted to tax evasion so they wouldn't go to jail for theft. Bad enough as it is; worse, when the Taxi King starts talking. Or, did NYS handwave that kind of felony count for probation because they were feeling charitable?

[mvaliz]

Cohen’s business partner strikes plea deal: report

The New York Times reported on Tuesday that Evgeny Freidman agreed to cooperate with state and federal prosecutors, potentially raising pressure on Cohen to assist in the special counsel investigation into Russia's 2016 election meddling.

In return, Freidman got five years of probation for pleading guilty Tuesday to a single count of evading $50,000 worth of taxes. Freidman, who was reportedly disbarred earlier this month, had faced four counts of criminal tax fraud and one of grand larceny, each carrying a possible sentence of up to 25 years.

Freidman, a Russian immigrant nicknamed the "Taxi King," has been partners with Cohen in the taxi business for years, The Times reported.

Cohen is reportedly under investigation for bank fraud and campaign finance law violations.

---------------------------

And another one bites it...

Dude, all that on him facing decades of prison time and he’s walking away with 5 years probation!? You KNOW he must’ve given up some seriously juicy shit on Cohen! =D

[Shadowferal]

Dude, all that on him facing decades of prison time and he’s walking away with 5 years probation!? You KNOW he must’ve given up some seriously juicy shit on Cohen! =D

I was thinking the same. Whatever he had, had a lot of value.

[Ripster42]

I was thinking the same. Whatever he had, had a lot of value.

One of the things to consider: this investigation is under a bit of time pressure. While he likely got something on cohen, it's unlikely he got much else, unless there is something criminal related to his corporation that he's been using to pay porn stars and they're looking to make that a criminal organization.

[mvaliz]

One of the things to consider: this investigation is under a bit of time pressure.

What time-pressure is that?

You do realize that was Gulliani talking out of his ass, right? He was trying to pressure them into finishing while simultaneously setting up an excuse to fire the whole team in case the Dems sweep the house/senate.

[Levelfive]

What time-pressure is that?

You do realize that was Gulliani talking out of his ass, right? He was trying to pressure them into finishing while simultaneously setting up an excuse to fire the whole team in case the Dems sweep the house/senate.

The time pressure of Trump (with an assist from Nunes) transparently maneuvering to fire Rosenstein at any moment so he can install someone who will fire Mueller.

[ati87]

The time pressure of Trump (with an assist from Nunes) transparently maneuvering to fire Rosenstein at any moment so he can install someone who will fire Mueller.

That is not really a time pressure.

The moment Trump thinks that Mueller is close enough he will try to fire him as he tried before, but that could be next week or next year.

[Ripster42]

What time-pressure is that?

It's an investigation into whether or not the president of the united states is effectively intentionally ruining the US for money/blackmail. The time pressure isn't because of anything gulliani said, but because we don't want a manchurian candidate wannabe as our president. It's literally because of considerable public interest, as in, not because it's "interesting," but because the public has a vested stake here.

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That is not really a time pressure.

Yes, there is, and it gives mueller cause to cut better deals for defendants if they can help the prosecution against the president.

[Mormolyce]

Another guy flips, you know, like innocent people do.

One of the things to consider: this investigation is under a bit of time pressure.

Kind of the opposite really - with the midterms coming up the Republicans should be desperate to get this wrapped up. But probably the reality that they're going into that with this on their backs has sunk in long ago.

[SirBeef]

It's an investigation into whether or not the president of the united states is effectively intentionally ruining the US for money/blackmail. The time pressure isn't because of anything gulliani said, but because we don't want a manchurian candidate wannabe as our president. It's literally because of considerable public interest, as in, not because it's "interesting," but because the public has a vested stake here.

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Yes, there is, and it gives mueller cause to cut better deals for defendants if they can help the prosecution against the president.

No, the investigation is into whether or not there was any Russian interference in the 2016 elections. Mueller also has the right to pursue any other crime that may arise.

[Ripster42]

Kind of the opposite really - with the midterms coming up the Republicans should be desperate to get this wrapped up. But probably the reality that they're going into that with this on their backs has sunk in long ago.

Again, mueller doesn't care as much about midterms as we do. He cares that the president committed crimes to get elected, and is selling out america. That's a time sensitive issue, as the president continues to harm the nation for personal gain.

No, the investigation is into whether or not there was any Russian interference in the 2016 elections. Mueller also has the right to pursue any other crime that may arise.

If you believe that the redacted portions of the memo don't include investigating trump for crimes related to collusion, I don't know what to tell you.

[NYC17]

Again, mueller doesn't care as much about midterms as we do. He cares that the president committed crimes to get elected, and is selling out america. That's a time sensitive issue, as the president continues to harm the nation for personal gain.



If you believe that the redacted portions of the memo don't include investigating trump for crimes related to collusion, I don't know what to tell you.

That's not entirely true. Mueller is aware of the protocol regarding timing of investigations/indictments and elections. It's impossible to say what impact that will have on the investigation at this time. It may delay indictments, it may not.

Assuming that Mueller doesn't care is foolish.

[Breccia]

Panicked, tear-streaked, and desperate, Trump continues tweeting that collusion is a made-up scam and the real issue is Spygate, the biggest controversy ever in the history of ever.

Trump is now calling it the "Criminal Deep State".

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And this might be why.

Trump is likely making the biggest deal he can out of this -- as we've discussed, claiming the FBI investigating all that stuff he did is the problem, not all that stuff he did -- and is forcing Rosenstein to jump through hoops, such as sending the IG after whoever this secret Clinton overpaid spy was.

He'll obey, or be fired.

Basically, Trump is trying to make Rosenstein justify his wild, baseless accusations. If Rosenstein investigates and finds nothing time after time after time after time after time, he gets fired. If he refuses, he gets fired. Or, he could get sick of everything and quits.

There was no implanted spy. The Trump campaign was doing enough shady shit, that they got caught on FISA warrants. They got drunk and blabbed about all the foreign shit they did. They hired Manafort, a known foreign agent, and sent Flynn and Papaduplex to talk to Russia. And we're hearing more and more about the Saudis, the UAE, etc. Team Trump ratted itself out. They didn't need an implanted spy. They needed to not be criminals. They failed. And they know they're in trouble.