The transcript here: cnn.com/2019/02/07/pol…
The issue at the hearing was whether Manafort reneged on his plea deal by lying to the Office of the Special Counsel (OSC).
I’ll make clear where I’m making guesses.
[ ] indicates redacted parts.
So basically we're doing a puzzle with 1/3 of the pieces.
theatlantic.com/international/…
Defense counsel argued that the OSC position was “nonsense” because whoever was elected, "sanctions would continue." [um. . .?]
There was corroborating evidence in email and GJ testimony from Gates.
Defense counsel argued that Gates's word should be disregarded because he’s unreliable.
The judge rejected that argument.
Now, onto the next lie: the 125K payment.
Trump’s campaign chair is meeting with Russian intelligence during the campaign, advancing Russian interests, while getting paid from a source that would embarrass people (it wouldn’t be "well received").
According to OSC, Manafort lied because “he did not want to provide any evidence" against Kilimnik.
OK, so, what the heck is the Hapsburg Group?
From this indictment justice.gov/file/1094141/d…
we learn that a group of former senior European politicians did some secret lobbying in the United States.
The scheme was pure fraud (like others we seen from Manafort) with the Group “appearing to provide solely independent assessments” when in fact, they were paid lobbyists.
Why aren’t they saying he WAS a Russian asset or agent?
What more could an agent or asset possibly be doing?
I think without the constant Trump distractions, the national conversation would focus better.
Here is the thread as a blog post:
terikanefield-blog.com/the-manafort-t…