Posted on 06/26/2018 2:37:57 PM PDT by Lurking Libertarian
A federal judge in Virginia ruled Tuesday that Paul Manafort’s prosecution for financial crimes should continue, rejecting his legal team’s argument that the charges should be dismissed because Special counsel Robert Mueller’s office overstepped its authority in bringing them.
U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III appeared sympathetic to Manafort’s defense in May, aggressively questioning federal prosecutors as to how the charges brought against Manafort, which are related to his foreign lobbying work, were relevant to the special counsel’s probe into election interference.
However, Ellis ultimately concluded that Mueller was within his rights to bring the charges, which include financial crimes related to Manafort’s lobbying work for a pro-Russian Ukrainian political party. Manafort’s trial in Virginia is set to begin July 25. [snip]
In May, Ellis expressed skepticism that charging Manafort was within Mueller’s authority, pointing out that much of the evidence related to Manafort’s Ukrainian lobbying work was the product of an investigation that began well before the 2016 election. He further heartened Mueller’s critics by demanding an unredacted copy of the August 2017 memo from Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein detailing the scope of Mueller’s mandate. But he was apparently satisfied by the memo, and declined to dismiss the case.
(Excerpt) Read more at nationalreview.com ...
Must’ve found some pictures.
Bummer, now we have to rely on the ruskies and their case?
Mueller must be using back channels to secure collusion with the Judge.
Charges, schmarges.
Poor bastard is still in jail, ain’t he?
He’s not even been tried. But boy has he been convicted.
Another political prisoner. Here in the USA.
(SMH)
I wonder what ex-parte communications took place between Judge Ellis and the Deep State during this long period before his ruling?
This is crazy. I have to believe these judges are bought out or at least have conspired in some way to do whatever Mueller needs to keep Manafort locked up. None of Manafort lawyers are clever enough to score some wins for their client?
None of them? at this high a level? It’s as though they are using the same rubber stamp to always decide in Mueller’s favor.
Manafort is dirty, period. HOWEVER - his illegal actions were committed long before being involved in the Trump campaign. Therefore, Mueller is chasing his tail, if he thinks that he may lay Manafort’s actions at the feet of President Trump. That is a bridge too far - even for a opportunistic political hack like Mueller.
I want to see the unredacted memo.
Or maybe the charges are valid and Manafort is a crooked sh!tbag.
With his long track record peddling influence in Washington to foreign clients, I wouldn't be shocked if we learn that he was a mole in the Trump campaign.
Judge Ellis caved to deep state warriors.
Mueller sure has a hardon for this poor bastard. I’m sure he’s thanking Jeff.
“This is crazy. I have to believe these judges are bought out or at least have conspired in some way to do whatever Mueller needs to keep Manafort locked up”
They are all drinking buddies on the filthy DC cocktail circuit. Mueller just trying to show how badass he is.
“Manafort is dirty, period. HOWEVER - his illegal actions were committed long before being involved in the Trump campaign.”
Statute of limitations ran out but Mueller got them waived. Didn’t know they could do that.
When push comes to shove, they all wimp out:
This judge - pushing the government to explain themselves; they don’t.... never mind - you’re good to go
Justice Roberts - Obamacare is awful, and borderline unconstitutional but I’ll read a tax into the individual mandate (even though it clearly was not intended as such by the Democrats) and validate it;
Comey - 15 minutes clearly explaining the crimes Hillary committed..... but never mind, no one would bring this case; she is free to go; and
Inspector General - here is 562 pages of bias, but.... never mind, don’t see any bias in the actions!
Weak people. At least, we have a couple of strong ones on the Supreme Court! Lets get 2 more soon!
Even if Mueller doesn’t nail Trump (which he won’t), harassing Trump campaign aides like Manafort, Papadopoulos, and Michael Caputo sends a warning to anyone thinking about participating in a future campaign challenging the establishment.
(As it now stands. If however Mueller and the silent coup are decisively defeated, it’s a whole new ball game.)
Did hizzoner get a peek at his suicide note?
Oh please.
The legal challenges by Manafort’s lawyers to the Special Counsel’s authority were poorly framed and argued.
They never actually challenged the legality of Mueller’s appointment head on; they conceded that the Attorney General (or Acting Attorney General) had the constitutional and statutory power to appoint Mueller.
They argued that the kinds of things Mueller was going after Manafort for were beyond the scope of the language Rosenstein outlined. This was not the strongest argument they could have made.
In contrast, the Russian company Concord Management filed a brief yesterday supporting its motion to dismiss the indictment based on the lack of legal authority by Mueller as Special Counsel.
They have made much stronger legal arguments and have challenged the legality of Mueller’s status as Special Counsel head on. Here is their filing:
http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4558273-Dismiss-Case.html
The Concord Management legal challenge very likely ultimately will decided at the appellate level, perhaps even at the Supreme Court.
Ironically, if Concord wins their legal challenge it would ultimately invalidate the Special Counsel’s authority to prosecute Manafort as well, notwithstanding the poor lawyering by Manafort’s counsel.
Must’ve found some pictures.
Or a sudden concern for coming down with a case of Arkancide...
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