"In other words, the goal of the joint venture could not have been more clear: it was to gather and disseminate derogatory non-public information regarding the internet activities of a political candidate and his associates. And"
that venture was far from collateral to the charged crime. Indeed, the above-described joint venture was the very project that led Tech Executive-1 to rely upon the defendant’s services; the very project that gave rise to the Russian Bank-1 allegations; the very project
that prompted agents of the Clinton Campaign to meet with Tech Executive-1; and the very project that caused the defendant to meet with the FBI General Counsel and lie to him about the clients who were behind all of this work. As the Government will demonstrate at trial,
it was also the politically-laden and ethically-fraught nature of this project that gave Tech Exec-1 and the defendant a strong motive to conceal the origins of the Russian Bank-1 allegations and falsely portray them as the organic discoveries of concerned computer scientists.
Judge Cooper WILL NOT ALLOW Bill Priestap & Trisha Andersons Notes to be entered as evidence unless Priestep & Anderson testify. 😳😳
"Moving to the next issue, the defense seeks to exclude notes taken by two of Mr. Bakers deputies sometime after his meeting with Mr. Sussmann."
Review of those rules, however, makes it clear that whether the notes may be read into evidence under either exception depends both on whether Mr. Baker’s credibility is attacked and on Mr. Priestap and Ms. Anderson’s testimony.
Accordingly, the Court will lay out the steps needed to admit the notes, but will reserve judgment on whether such foundation has been laid until trial.
Judge says Sussmanns defenses position RE: materiality was "NOT PERSUASIVE" !
Defense is arguing that the materiality should be discussed now, and that finding sussman guilty will have a chilling effect on people who would have made tips to the FBI, fearing that they will be prosecuted
*my note on this is that, this would only chill reporting by those people who intend to LIE to the FBI.