The Robert Mueller Investigation

[TwiceHorn 32,079]

On 9/11/2018 at 2:34 PM, Hugo Stiglitz said:

Papadopoulos and his wife have been nothing but douchebags throughout this mess.  They’re still pushing bullshit and alternative narratives on Twitter as of yesterday yesterday.  

It’s almost like he’s intentionally trying to destroy any credibility he might have.

Whatever happened to STFU about ongoing investigations?

 

It's been pretty clear from jump that Georgie Porgie is nothing but a self-promoter.  It's how he got himself in with Trump, it's how he made himself a target of the investigation, and it's how he got himself indicted and convicted.  He's a moron, and a loud one.

[Brisketexan 106,900]

It's been pretty clear from jump that Georgie Porgie is nothing but a self-promoter.  It's how he got himself in with Trump, it's how he made himself a target of the investigation, and it's how he got himself indicted and convicted.  He's a moron, and a loud one.

....with a hot, stupid wife.

So, he scored a few points.

[TwiceHorn 32,079]

1 minute ago, Brisketexan said:

....with a hot, stupid wife.

So, he scored a few points.

I dunno if she's stupid or loyal.  Maybe both.

 

One thing that's simultaneously amusing and terrifying is that, as an early target of the investigation, so many were pumping what a mastermind he must be or have been.  And in the final analysis, he is just a stupid pawn. 

Edited September 13, 2018 by TwiceHorn

[Brisketexan 106,900]

I dunno if she's stupid or loyal.  Maybe both.

Irrelevant. Because boobs.

[Longhornfan1024 1,707]

1 hour ago, TwiceHorn said:

I dunno if she's stupid or loyal.  Maybe both.

 

One thing that's simultaneously amusing and terrifying is that, as an early target of the investigation, so many were pumping what a mastermind he must be or have been.  And in the final analysis, he is just a stupid pawn. 

Honey pot.  

[Anastasis 23,720]

12 hours ago, TwiceHorn said:

It's been pretty clear from jump that Georgie Porgie is nothing but a self-promoter.  It's how he got himself in with Trump, it's how he made himself a target of the investigation, and it's how he got himself indicted and convicted.  He's a moron, and a loud one.

It's how he got his hot attention horse wife too apparently. 

[Anastasis 23,720]

I see that brisket already closed that loop. 

[Brisketexan 106,900]

I see that brisket already closed that loop. 

When a babe with a smoking body is with a self-promoting goober, I’m on it.

[Hugo Stiglitz 23,367]

Happy felony Friday!

 

[SmokeyTheBear 5,569]

[Hugo Stiglitz 23,367]

Massive Mueller criminal information filing on Manafort pending.

Per NBC Ken Dillanion 

[Hugo Stiglitz 23,367]

 

[Nice Guy Eddie 13,731]

The circle is closing.  Hard to believe that Manafort would get a plea agreement and cooperate with Mueller unless there is now a higher target.   Maybe that is Roger Stone but I have to think this lands at Don Jr or Jared soon.   

I would also guess that Manafort is going to hand them a few other lower people as well.  

[triplehorn 2,664]

^^^ a higher target ?  How about Vlad.

if Manafort delivers the goods that help go after and severely cuff or takedown  Putin’s Russian mafia state, we should give him 10 acres outside Aspen, a heli pad, armed guards, and a pack of roving Rottweilers.

[Hugo Stiglitz 23,367]

1 minute ago, triplehorn said:

^^^ a higher target ?  How about Vlad.

if Manafort delivers the goods that help go after and severely cuff or takedown  Putin’s Russian mafia state, we should give him 10 acres outside Aspen, a heli pad, armed guards, and a pack of roving Rottweilers.

Yeah, that’s fantasy land but Manafort could give up other Kremlin assets clandestinely working in the U.S. 

That would be something.

[Aqua Buddha 14,806]

5 minutes ago, Hugo Stiglitz said:

Yeah, that’s fantasy land but Manafort could give up other Kremlin assets clandestinely working in the U.S. 

That would be something.

Trump isn't working clandestinely.  He's out in the open.

[triplehorn 2,664]

3 minutes ago, Hugo Stiglitz said:

Yeah, that’s fantasy land but Manafort could give up other Kremlin assets clandestinely working in the U.S. 

That would be something.

Ok, maybe giving him a deserted tariff casualty soy farm outside Omaha is more realistic

In all seriousness, Mueller is laying the foundation for going after international mob (money laundering, offshore banking, political/corporate corruption).  Mueller’s baton passing has already started, and this is the part that could extend over years.

[Brisketexan 106,900]

5 minutes ago, triplehorn said:

Ok, maybe giving him a deserted tariff casualty soy farm outside Omaha is more realistic

In all seriousness, Mueller is laying the foundation for going after international mob (money laundering, offshore banking, political/corporate corruption).  Mueller’s baton passing has already started, and this is the part that could extend over years.

That's the daunting possibility -- this is such a complex and far-reaching game (and come on, we all know it is -- it's just a question of whether he can get enough evidence) that it indeed could take years to sort it all out.  That's often the way these things work.  Sure, sometimes there are coordinated raids and arrests, but more often than not, it unfolds over years.

But man, we want it to go down like the end of Goodfellas, one guy after another, in quick succession:

That would be gratifying.  But guys like Mueller don't prosecute for show.  They do it for the clean kills.  If it takes two years to set up the perfect shot, that's what he'll take.

[Longhorn94 2,501]

holy crap...who hasnt Mueller flipped in Trump's circle?

Manafort - check

Gates - Check

Cohen - Check

Flynn - Check

Trump Org CFO - Check

National Enqurier - Check

Am I missing someone?

Stone - ?

Sessions?

Pence?

Short of knowing the final result, this investigation has been more successful than I ever thought it would be. It's unbelievable Mueller's team has been able to flip all of the above. Whatever they didnt know before, they know now. 

Edited September 14, 2018 by Longhorn94

[Anastasis 23,720]

18 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

But man, we want it to go down like the end of Goodfellas, one guy after another, in quick succession:

 

If you guys are right, and this is a move against the international mob, it may very well end precisely this way for Manafort. 

[Brisketexan 106,900]

2 minutes ago, Anastasis said:

If you guys are right, and this is a move against the international mob, it may very well end precisely this way for Manafort. 

Which is why I never thought he'd flip.

Locked in a cell is better than locked in a coffin.

[horncyclist 1,391]

There had been speculation that nothing big would happen before the election. But if Mueller did have proof of collusion--and if it happened, he has it now--he would feel an obligation to the American people to come forward with it so we can consider it in voting. Hold on to your butts.

[Longhornfan1024 1,707]

13 minutes ago, Longhorn94 said:

holy crap...who hasnt Mueller flipped in Trump's circle?

Manafort - check

Gates - Check

Cohen - Check

Flynn - Check

Trump Org CFO - Check

National Enqurier - Check

Am I missing someone?

Stone - ?

Sessions?

Pence?

Short of knowing the final result, this investigation has been more successful than I ever thought it would be. It's unbelievable Mueller's team has been able to flip all of the above. Whatever they didnt know before, they know now. 

Mueller must be the greatest detective ever if he managed to get all those guys to plead to crimes they didn't commit since this whole thing is a total witch hunt.  Either he has a shitload of compelling evidence that the Trump campaign was rife with criminals or he's Batman.   

[Biff Tannen 46,168]

1 hour ago, Longhornfan1024 said:

Mueller must be the greatest detective ever if he managed to get all those guys to plead to crimes they didn't commit since this whole thing is a total witch hunt.  Either he has a shitload of compelling evidence that the Trump campaign was rife with criminals or he's Batman.   

Yeah yeah he is Batman.  /kramer

[SmokeyTheBear 5,569]

4 minutes ago, Longhornfan1024 said:

Mueller must be the greatest detective ever if he managed to get all those guys to plead to crimes they didn't commit since this whole thing is a total witch hunt.  Either he has a shitload of compelling evidence that the Trump campaign was rife with criminals or he's Batman.   

Flipping should be illegal /trump

[hayden_horn 11,402]

Another felony friday!

[Hugo Stiglitz 23,367]

18 minutes ago, horncyclist said:

There had been speculation that nothing big would happen before the election. But if Mueller did have proof of collusion--and if it happened, he has it now--he would feel an obligation to the American people to come forward with it so we can consider it in voting. Hold on to your butts.

I don’t think the election plays into Mueller’s calculations.  He’s going to do everything by the book and get it right regardless of how much time it takes.  

However, since Manafort is now on team America, the dominos should start to fall quicker. 

Edited September 14, 2018 by Hugo Stiglitz

[Pescado_Rojo 19,587]

1 hour ago, Longhorn94 said:

holy crap...who hasnt Mueller flipped in Trump's circle?

Manafort - check

Gates - Check

Cohen - Check

Flynn - Check

Trump Org CFO - Check

National Enqurier - Check

Am I missing someone?

Stone - ?

Sessions?

Pence?

Short of knowing the final result, this investigation has been more successful than I ever thought it would be. It's unbelievable Mueller's team has been able to flip all of the above. Whatever they didnt know before, they know now. 

He's also banging Melania.

[triplehorn 2,664]

happenings here on the board, and in the MAGAverse, over the last 24 hrs

 

[Ten Bears 2,500]

Refresh my memory.  I can't place where I have seent it.

[horncyclist 1,391]

I don't have time to dig it up but I remember Hugo posting on Shaggy Seth Abramson tweets on how this investigation is like taking down the mom and how it would play out starting with lower level players and working it's way up with successive flipping. That's what we re seeing and there's not much farther to go up. I think it's clear now the President is the target here.

[Longhorn94 2,501]

the end game is Russia. Trump is just the next stop on the way.

[Huckleberry 34,659]

52 minutes ago, Ten Bears said:

Refresh my memory.  I can't place where I have seent 

[atomheartbevo 90,650]

2 minutes ago, Huckleberry said:

[Post Oak 20,568]

Read that Manaforts plea requires him to cooperate with state investigations in NY and Va.  

Any rulings would be out of the scope of Trump's pardon power. 

Jr and Kush are going to jail.

[triplehorn 2,664]

11 hours ago, Post Oak said:

Read that Manaforts plea requires him to cooperate with state investigations in NY and Va.  

Any rulings would be out of the scope of Trump's pardon power. 

Jr and Kush are going to jail.

Yes, absolutely.

Good lawsplainer thread about Manfort's plea deal:

 

cont. 

Spoiler

2. Each of those two counts carries a five year maximum sentence, so the maximum sentence for these guilty pleas is 10 years. Manafort agrees that under the Sentencing Guidelines, the recommended sentencing range would be above 10 years -- specifically 210-262 months.

3. Manafort agrees not to challenge that calculation, even though no sentence above 10 years could be imposed in DC. The Government agrees to recommend that the the sentence for the DC case and the Virginia convictions run concurrently.

4. The recommendation for concurrent time is not binding on either the DC or Virginia court.

5. Manafort agrees to cooperate with Special Counsel's Office (aka "the Government") and "other law enforcement authorities identified by the Government in any and all matter as to which the Government deems the cooperation relevant."

6. That means that Special Counsel Mueller can require Manafort to cooperate with state law enforcement authorities in New York or Virginia.

7. Because POTUS"s pardon power does not reach convictions under state law, that means that Manafort could be required to cooperate in prosecutions of individuals that POTUS could not pardon.

8. That creates an avenue for potential prosecution of the others (Jared Kushner, Donald Jr.) who attended the 2016 Trump Tower Meeting with the Russians that would be outside of the pardon power.

9. The plea agreement enumerates six broad categories of cooperation that Manafort is required to provide.

10. One of the things that Manafort is required to provide is "to participate in undercover activities pursuant to the specific instructions of law enforcement agents or the Government."

11. The "undercover" requirement is certainly an artifact of standard language in the template for cooperating plea agreements. No one could be so foolish as to fall for Manafort as an undercover source at this point.

12. Sentencing Leverage By Special Counsel Mueller. Manafort will not be sentenced until after his cooperation is completed. That process may take years.

13. Until the cooperation is complete, the additional charges in Virginia where the jury was hung will remain pending. After the cooperation is complete, they will be dismissed if Special Counsel Mueller is satisfied with the cooperation.

14. If the Government is not satisfied with Manafort's cooperation, it can rip up the entire agreement. Manafort agreed to the forfeiture of $45 million in assets, including his apartment in Trump Tower. This more than covers the cost of the Special Counsel's investigation.

15. In language that appears to cover the possibility of later pardon, the plea agreement specifically provides that the forfeitures "will survive him notwithstanding the abatement of any underlying criminal conviction.

16. Manafort agrees to drop his challenge to the Virginia convictions and not to appeal anything about the sentencing in the DC case. /end

 

 

 

 

 

[HenryJames 67,368]

17 hours ago, atomheartbevo said:

[NameAlreadyInUse 5,169]

I’d laugh my ass off if Mueller moves his investigative office into Manafort’s old apartment in Trump Tower. Probably not practical. It would bring serious lulz. 

[triplehorn 2,664]

One of Michael Cohen's two legal clients to Newt back in Aug '16:

 

 

do tell Sean Paul, do tell.

[Nice Guy Eddie 13,731]

Manafort’s plea agreement can be managed much differently when trump fires some combination of sessions, rosenstein and mueller.  Much of the analysis of the plea agreement seems to come down to “mueller can make Manafort...” but that isn’t the case once mueller is fired.    

 

[triplehorn 2,664]

Mueller getting fired would be worse for Manafort.  His best way to not die in prison and get out early is to fulfill cooperation with lifelong protection.  He's got the best deal attainable right now.  No so for his co-conspirators against the US.

[triplehorn 2,664]

The real blossom in this investigation that sends total indictments through the roof stands to be FARA violations - 22 U.S. Code Subchapter II - Registration of Foreign Propagandists.

Think consider the role Sean Hannity plays at Fox News (and the service Fox News provides overall) keeping in mind his conjoined existence with Trump, Michael Cohen, etc.  

Now look at this related to Ben Shapiro and extrapolate:

 

More potential FARA indictments flowering:

And for the MAGAts, yes, Tony Podesta likely ends up in that meat grinder too.

I'll take the over.

[Lurch 5,950]

Extra credit for nailing the reaction picture

[Brisketexan 106,900]

The real blossom in this investigation that sends total indictments through the roof stands to be FARA violations - 22 U.S. Code Subchapter II - Registration of Foreign Propagandists.

Think consider the role Sean Hannity plays at Fox News (and the service Fox News provides overall) keeping in mind his conjoined existence with Trump, Michael Cohen, etc.  

Now look at this related to Ben Shapiro and extrapolate:

[/url]  

More potential FARA indictments flowering:

And for the MAGAts, yes, Tony Podesta likely ends up in that meat grinder too.

I'll take the over.

Quick poll...for those of us who believe the Trump admin is a criminal enterprise and needs to be taken down, will you shed a single tear if Tony Podesta and even other significant Dems go down too?

 

Because I won’t. I’m on team USA, fuck team treason, whatever their goals might have been.

[Lurch 5,950]

Not at all. I’m only voting D out of necessity

[Superhero 9,025]

Nope. We need to cut, burn, chemo, radiate out all the cancer in government, wherever it lays. 

Edited September 15, 2018 by Superhero

[Al Bundy's Napoleon Hand 13,629]

Nope. Have always voted Dem.

[Onboard 2.0 9,083]

2 minutes ago, Al Bundy's Napoleon Hand said:

Nope. Have always voted Dem.

Well, just goes to show, ya can't change stupid...

[Tuco 5,093]

Quick poll...for those of us who believe the Trump admin is a criminal enterprise and needs to be taken down, will you shed a single tear if Tony Podesta and even other significant Dems go down too?
 
Because I won’t. I’m on team USA, fuck team treason, whatever their goals might have been.

Something to keep in mind: Manafort brought US lobbying to the Ukraine, not the other way around. This investigation is pulling back the curtain on how the sausage is made in lobbying, and we’re seeing the cockroaches over everything. So, yeah, grab that big fucking can of Raid and go to work.

[Al Bundy's Napoleon Hand 13,629]

6 minutes ago, Onboard 2.0 said:

Well, just goes to show, ya can't change stupid...

That wouldn't show you could or couldn't.