I'm back covering this two-day court hearing in Scotland, which could lead to Donald Trump being subjected to an anti-money laundering "unexplained wealth order."
Today, we heard from the Scottish govt.
(Here's the preview @thedailybeast ran Tuesday.)
thedailybeast.com/a-scottish-jud…
Today, we heard from the Scottish govt.
(Here's the preview @thedailybeast ran Tuesday.)
thedailybeast.com/a-scottish-jud…
@thedailybeast Quick recap:
2014: Trump bought Trump Turnberry *in cash*
2017: UK got a new investigative tool forcing rich, politically connected people to explain suspicious purchases
2019: @Avaaz demands Scotland uses one on Trump, govt resists
2021: It sues to force govt to use this tool
2014: Trump bought Trump Turnberry *in cash*
2017: UK got a new investigative tool forcing rich, politically connected people to explain suspicious purchases
2019: @Avaaz demands Scotland uses one on Trump, govt resists
2021: It sues to force govt to use this tool
@thedailybeast @Avaaz Today, the barrister representing the govt laid out why it's not up to the country's leader, @NicolaSturgeon.
Instead, that decision is up to country's top prosecutor, she says.
And the govt doesn't want to be forced to say whether it plans to seek a Trump investigation or not.
Instead, that decision is up to country's top prosecutor, she says.
And the govt doesn't want to be forced to say whether it plans to seek a Trump investigation or not.
@thedailybeast @Avaaz @NicolaSturgeon The govt barrister makes clear that Scotland's ministers take anti-money laundering seriously -- in general.
"I'm not going to stand here and say they're going to do nothing."
But "unexplained wealth orders" are new territory, and how it's supposed to be used isn't clear yet.
"I'm not going to stand here and say they're going to do nothing."
But "unexplained wealth orders" are new territory, and how it's supposed to be used isn't clear yet.
@thedailybeast @Avaaz @NicolaSturgeon Scottish govt is highly resistant to tipping their hand here, arguing that it shouldn't even answer questions about use of UWOs.
Curiously, it's borrowing the CIA's infamous "Glomar response."
You know it even if you don't know you know it:
"We can neither confirm nor deny."
Curiously, it's borrowing the CIA's infamous "Glomar response."
You know it even if you don't know you know it:
"We can neither confirm nor deny."
@thedailybeast @Avaaz @NicolaSturgeon Counterpoint by the barrister for the nonprofit watchdog, Avaaz:
"There is a duty of candor" by a public authority "because we're all in this together."
Can I... quote this in my future public records requests? US government agencies, you're on notice.
"There is a duty of candor" by a public authority "because we're all in this together."
Can I... quote this in my future public records requests? US government agencies, you're on notice.
@thedailybeast @Avaaz @NicolaSturgeon Okay, hearing has wrapped up. Judge said he'll "issue the judgement as soon as is reasonably practicable."
Soon enough we'll know if Trump's headaches in Scotland are about to get worse.
Soon enough we'll know if Trump's headaches in Scotland are about to get worse.
@thedailybeast @Avaaz @NicolaSturgeon (After two days of this, I gotta say I know more about the UK's Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 than I ever thought I'd know.)
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
