Good morning from New York.
The trial of Lev Parnas and Andrey Kukushkin is about to begin here in Manhattan Federal Court.
Before opening statements were slated to begin, Judge Oetken said a juror disclosed a possible scheduling issue.
Background: lawandcrime.com/high-profile/e…
The trial of Lev Parnas and Andrey Kukushkin is about to begin here in Manhattan Federal Court.
Before opening statements were slated to begin, Judge Oetken said a juror disclosed a possible scheduling issue.
Background: lawandcrime.com/high-profile/e…
The judge excused the juror. There are now two alternates.
Openings anticipated in roughly 10 minutes after the judge initially instructs the panel.
Openings anticipated in roughly 10 minutes after the judge initially instructs the panel.
AUSA Aline R Flodr begins by noting that a "Russian tycoon" wired $1 million before the 2018 elections.
"The law requires that political contributions be made in the true donor's name."
"Here, the defendants hid where that money came from."
"The law requires that political contributions be made in the true donor's name."
"Here, the defendants hid where that money came from."
Flodr:
"They funneled the Russian's money through layers of bank accounts."
"They funneled the Russian's money through layers of bank accounts."
Flodr:
"That is what secret foreign money infiltrating U.S. elections looks like. That is why we are all here."
"That is what secret foreign money infiltrating U.S. elections looks like. That is why we are all here."
The prosecutor notes the Russian tycoon's name was Andrey Muraviev, whom she says Parnas called "Big Andrey."
The prosecutor describes the dynamics of the alleged conspiracy — secretly transferring foreign money to politicians who could help them obtain licenses for marijuana businesses.
Flodr:
"Before he had access to the Russian tycoon's wealth, you will learn" that he made illegal donations through his business partner's money.
She goes into the Global Energy Producers donations, describing these as straw donations as well.
"Before he had access to the Russian tycoon's wealth, you will learn" that he made illegal donations through his business partner's money.
She goes into the Global Energy Producers donations, describing these as straw donations as well.
Conspicuously absent from this opening statement:
* Any mention of Trump's Ukraine scandal associated with the Lev Parnas case.
* The recipients of the allegedly illicit donations, including this pro-Trump super-PAC (America First Action).
* Any politically resonant association.
* Any mention of Trump's Ukraine scandal associated with the Lev Parnas case.
* The recipients of the allegedly illicit donations, including this pro-Trump super-PAC (America First Action).
* Any politically resonant association.
Parnas's lawyer Joseph Bondy is now up, saying his client is not guilty:
"He did not knowingly, he did not willfully violate any election laws."
"He did not knowingly, he did not willfully violate any election laws."
Bondy refers to the Global Energy Producers money as a "bona fide, capital investment" meant to lessen U.S. reliance upon Russian energy.
Bondy describes his client's upbringing in Brooklyn. He doesn't have a college degree. He's not a lawyer.
But Parnas is "motivated," and he met Igor Fruman in a Florida community of Soviet emigres, Bondy says.
But Parnas is "motivated," and he met Igor Fruman in a Florida community of Soviet emigres, Bondy says.
Bondy refers to one of the recipients of the donations: America First Action, the pro-Trump super-PAC.
He says the super PAC's director Joseph Ahearn reached out to Parnas.
"It was on 4/20/2018 at Mar a Lago."
He says the super PAC's director Joseph Ahearn reached out to Parnas.
"It was on 4/20/2018 at Mar a Lago."
Read more about Parnas's attendance at the Mar a Lago event in my interview with him in an investigation w/ OCCRP's @AubreyBelford here: courthousenews.com/adventures-in-…
Another joint investigation on a Turkey tie mentions the Buddha Bar described by Bondy earlier courthousenews.com/oligarchs-and-…
Another joint investigation on a Turkey tie mentions the Buddha Bar described by Bondy earlier courthousenews.com/oligarchs-and-…
Unlike prosecutors, Parnas's attorney Joseph Bondy is naming names. The lawyer moves onto Pete Sessions.
Bondy notes that Parnas went to another event with Donald Trump, Jr. and Donald Trump, where he talked to the then-president's son about cannabis.
Bondy notes that Parnas went to another event with Donald Trump, Jr. and Donald Trump, where he talked to the then-president's son about cannabis.
Bondy, a prominent pro-cannabis advocate, repeatedly refers to the Mar a Lago meeting as the "4/20" meeting.
The Trump International Hotel meeting was "4/30."
If you think it's a coincidence he's not just saying "April 20th," you're not familiar with Mr. Bondy.
The Trump International Hotel meeting was "4/30."
If you think it's a coincidence he's not just saying "April 20th," you're not familiar with Mr. Bondy.
(Or, perhaps, cannabis culture.) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/420_(cann…
Turning to the Giuliani ties, Bondy notes of "America's Mayor" (using that nickname):
"He's not a cannabis guy. He's not friendly toward cannabis."
"He's not a cannabis guy. He's not friendly toward cannabis."
Bondy says of his client Parnas:
"He's not a diplomat. He hasn't been to law school. He doesn't work in government."
Bondy contrasts that with others whom he named, citing Mr. Ahearn.
"He's not a diplomat. He hasn't been to law school. He doesn't work in government."
Bondy contrasts that with others whom he named, citing Mr. Ahearn.
Bondy: "There are two sides to this."
At the end, Bondy tells the jury: "It is our side that will be more convincing to you."
At the end, Bondy tells the jury: "It is our side that will be more convincing to you."
Up now is Kukushkin’s lawyer Gerald Lefcourt:
As he signaled during the final pre-trial hearing, Lefcourt depicts his client as Parnas and Correia's dupe.
"They saw Mr. Kukushkin as a rube, inexperienced," Lefcourt said.
As he signaled during the final pre-trial hearing, Lefcourt depicts his client as Parnas and Correia's dupe.
"They saw Mr. Kukushkin as a rube, inexperienced," Lefcourt said.
Kukushkin's never made a political donation or voted in his life, Lefcourt said.
He's not political, the lawyer adds.
He's not political, the lawyer adds.
Lefcourt notes the "political windstorm" about the then-active Mueller investigation was in the backdrop around 2018.
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