RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE IN 2016 US ELECTION & SPIN-OFF INVESTIGATIONS

[HairOfTheDog]

Cohen will also have to pay $1.4 million in restitution, forfeit $500,000, and pay a fine of $50,000.

He'll be on probation for three years after his release from federal prison.

[Duchess]

I would like to take this moment to remind everyone that Michael was also the Deputy Finance Chairman of the RNC. 

[HairOfTheDog]

Mike Flynn Sentencing Status



Attorneys for President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn asked a judge to spare him prison time in a memo filed Tuesday.

In the filing, Flynn’s lawyers recommended for a sentence "a term of probation not to exceed one year, with minimal conditions of supervision, along with 200 hours of community service.

His attorneys said in the memo that “General Flynn accepted responsibility for his conduct and that his cooperation “was not grudging or delayed.”

“Rather, it preceded his guilty plea or any threatened indictment and began very shortly after he was first contacted for assistance by the Special Counsel's Office.”

(continued)

[HairOfTheDog]

To help bolster their plea for 'no time', Flynn's attorneys also pointed out that Flynn was never told by agents that lying to the FBI was a crime.

Given his long background in national security and intelligence, Flynn was surely aware of that fact, in my opinion. His attorneys are building as strong a case as they can to keep Flynn out of prison.

Flynn is scheduled for sentencing next Tuesday, 12/18, in U.S. District Court in Washington for lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russian officials during his time as a campaign adviser to Donald Trump.

Special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, recommended no jail time for Flynn in a filing last week. Mueller highlighted Flynn's full cooperation and his past service to the country in the recommendation letter.

It will be up to to DC Federal judge whether to invoke the recommendations by Flynn's attorneys and Mueller or instead issue a harsher sentence.

Ref: https://www.ajc.com/news/national/muelle...8mSuarjJN/

[HairOfTheDog]

I would like to take this moment to remind everyone that Michael was also the Deputy Finance Chairman of the RNC. 

All the way up until June of this year, even after a federal investigation into his financial dealings had been initiated against him.

The Republican National Committee sure can pick 'em.

Former casino mogul Steve Wynn resigned as finance committee chairman in January as he faced allegations of sexual misconduct. And another deputy finance chairman, Elliott Broidy, stepped down from his role in April amid reports that he paid off a Playboy playmate with whom he had an affair. Then there's Cohen.

[Duchess]

"only the best people" *snorts*

[Duchess]

To help bolster their plea for 'no time', Flynn's attorneys also pointed out that Flynn was never told by agents that lying to the FBI was a crime.  

Given his long background in national security and intelligence, Flynn was surely aware of that fact, in my opinion. His attorneys are building as strong a case as they can to keep Flynn out of prison.

Of course he was aware of that. Who the hell is going to believe differently.

General Flynn was the first one to cooperate and I think Michael was probably very helpful to Special Counsel Mueller as well, I think his sentence reflects that. Manafort is going to die in prison, I guess that's preferable when compared to what the Russians would do to him.

[HairOfTheDog]

This is bad news for Trump in terms of launching plausible defenses against allegations of campaign finance violations.

Today it was confirmed in New York court that AMI/National Enquirer officially entered into a cooperation plea agreement to avoid prosecution for its role in silencing Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal ahead of the 2016 election, expressly for the purpose of helping Trump's election chances.

The Wall Street Journal reported last month that Trump's longtime friend and CEO of AMI, David Pecker, met with Trump and Cohen in August 2015 to discuss how Pecker could help Trump's campaign.  That's when the plan was devised to pay women for their stories, get them to sign NDAs, and then bury the stories.  

Given the evidence provided by Cohen and Pecker, the successful John Edwards defense ("I just didn't want to hurt or embarrass my wife and family, the hush money had nothing to do with my election") doesn't appear to be an option for Trump should he be charged.  

Refs:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/pub...ad-n947111
https://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trum...1541786601
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle...3d778742d1

[BigMark]

Should have got house arrest.

[HairOfTheDog]

Should have got house arrest.

No comprende.

Do you mean Cohen should have been put on house arrest today rather remaining on his current pre-incarceration restrictions, or do you mean he should have gotten sentenced to house arrest rather than any prison time?

[BigMark]

House arrest no prison time. After three months of his old lady nagging he would have presented himself at the jail house gates anyway.

[HairOfTheDog]

Well, he committed several very serious crimes against the citizens of the U.S. -- tax evasion, bank fraud, lying to Congress and the FBI, engaging in election campaign violations.

And, he refused to cooperate fully when it comes to his own state crimes that didn't involve Trump.

Why do you think he deserves to be sentenced so much more lightly than anyone else would have been under the circumstances? His wife is apparently very supportive of Cohen.

[BigMark]

Because i want to have sex with trump, duh!

[HairOfTheDog]

Well, that doesn't make any sense in this context either, but at least you got it off your chest Biggie. Confession is good for the soul.

I'm not judging, but I am a bit surprised by your big reveal.

I always figured you just wanted Trump to RUB YOUR BELLY!

[BigMark]

Are you kidding me, i'm saving the belly for you.

[Duchess]

Should have got house arrest.

He committed felonies at the direction of the President of the United States of America.

[Fry Guy]

Should have got house arrest.

He committed felonies at the direction of the President of the United States of America.

Bullshit

[Maggot]

Many people are totally ignorant about what he is going to jail for. The TDS people don't care at any rate and will perpetuate anything to make Trump look bad. The entire TDS fan base is dedicating their entire life to making him look bad. It's amusingly pathetic. My advise would be to look and treat them as if you would treat a child, maybe a 9 yr old. it makes them more palatable.

[Maggot]

American justice is funny, Cohen gets 3 years and in Mass an illegal that is caught selling drugs with other charges like rape and assault pending are set free before ICE can pick them up. They are let out the back door of the courthouse.Or the illegal that gets arrested is set free on bond from drug charges to go out and commit murder are not put in jail by bleeding heart judges yet even at the suggestion of prosecutors Cohen is put in jail by a judge with a vendetta.  Yup, American justice at its finest.

[HairOfTheDog]

Are you kidding me, i'm saving the belly for you.

') Okay, I'm warmed up.


Bring on the belly Biggie.  

This is a limited offer:  no foot rubs, back rubs, or other rubs included.