EXCERPT -—a February 2017 article by the New York Times said the U.S. owned a year’s worth of intercepts and phone records between the Trump campaign and Russian intelligence.
On its face, the article is evidence of collusion. But former FBI Director James Comey testified to Congress that the story was wrong and that he warned senior leaders not to believe it.
The New York Times article said, “The officials said that one of the advisers picked up on the calls was Paul Manafort, who was Mr. Trump’s campaign chairman for several months last year and had worked as a political consultant in Ukraine. The officials declined to identify the other Trump associates on the calls.”
The story said Mr. Manafort communicated with Russian and Ukrainian intelligence.
But Mr. Downing’s brief says he has asked Mr. Mueller for any evidence that Mr. Manafort communicated with Russian officials. Mr. Mueller reported back that he had none, Mr. Downing said.
“Despite multiple discoveries…. requests in this regard, the special counsel has not produced any materials to the defense––no tapes, notes, transcripts or any other material evidencing surveillance or intercepts of communications between Mr. Manafort and Russian intelligence officials, Russian government officials (or any other foreign officials). The office of special counsel has advised that there are no materials responsive to Mr. Manafort’s requests.”
Thanks, Liz...As always, good stuff!