A new doc has been filed in the Manafort case: A criminal information👇
The opening is explosive, and contains a few subtle changes from the previous indictment.
lawfareblog.com/document-super…
Manafort conspired with Gates and Konstantin Kilimnik to act (and acted) as an agent of the Government of Ukraine, the Party of Regions—the pro-Putin party—between at least 2006 and 2015.
Also in the information: To hide income from his Ukraine work, Manafort, with the assistance of Gates and Kilimnik, laundered money through at least 2016.
Fox says, "But Manafort has not been charged with anything related to the campaign."
foxnews.com/politics/2018/… …
Well, I'm not reading it that way.
Trump hired someone to head his campaign who for years had been working as an agent for the pro-Putin Party of Regions, and that same person—while serving on the campaign—was busy laundering millions in dirty Ukranian-Russian money.
Recall that the previous docs indicated that Manafort had criminal exposure beyond what was being charged thus far. 💥
Manafort’s lawyer says Manafort is cooperating to make sure his family can "remain safe and live a good life.”
usnews.com/news/politics/…
emptywheel.net/2018/09/14/pau…
The crime Manafort is pleading has already popped up in several Mueller docs . . .
law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18… …
Count One is: Conspiracy against the U.S. (hiding the fact that M was a foreign agent, laundering money, lying the DOJ, etc.)
Count Two is Conspiracy to Obstruct Justice (witness tampering).
In plain language: They tried to get D1 and D2 to lie.
Notice Manafort & Kilimnik are good buddies. In 2018.
He shows up in several of Mueller’s docs. He’s a Russian political operative who [is believed to] have ties to Russian intelligence.
I’m just not getting how people say this has nothing to do with Trump and the campaign. 🤷♀️
Here’s what Manafort has to do:
Cooperate fully in “all matters as to which the Government deems the cooperation relevant.”
Waive the right to have his lawyers present when he is questioned
Waive the right appeal.
Any lying or additional criminal behavior from Manafort, and the deal is off.
Here's Manafort gets in exchange:
If the government determines that Manafort has provided “substantial assistance,” the government will ask for. . .
Notice the "if" in that sentence.
Prosecutors hold all power.
Plain language: Prosecutors have Manafort over a barrel.
Looks like Manafort's sentence, if he provides substantial assistance, is 10 year maximum.
thehill.com/homenews/admin…
(I keep my "absolved" tweet handy because I often need it.)