Manafort sentencing memo: Marcy Wheeler found something buried in a footnote that demolishes

[pnwmom]

the "no collusion" nonsense.

It isn't that Manafort had nothing to do with collusion with Russia. That info wasn't needed in this sentencing document because, as they told the judge, they had already given her all the related info in a PREVIOUS submission. Much of which was redacted to protect the investigation.

https://www.emptywheel.net/2019/02/23/on-muellers-choice-not-to-elaborate-on-paulies-lies/

The sentencing memo then incorporates Special Counsel’s submissions on the breach determination.

The government relies on and incorporates herein its submissions on this issue.

In a footnote supporting the first statement, the memo cites ABJ’s order finding that Manafort had lied to protect a Trump flunkie in another investigation, lied to hide why and how he dealt polling data to Konstantin Kilimnik at a meeting where they also discussed a Ukrainian peace deal (which Manafort knew to be code for sanctions relief), lied about his ongoing discussions about a sanctions-relief peace deal, and lied about a kickback scheme he had with vendors he hired to work for Trump’s campaign. It also cites the transcript where she explained her ruling on those issues, which among other things deemed the August 2, 2016 meeting to be material to the investigation, including the core issue of coordination with the Russian government.

[O]ne cannot quibble about the materiality of this meeting.

(snip)

This is a topic at the undisputed core of the Office of Special Counsel’s investigation into, as paragraph (b) of the appointment order put it, Any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign.

A footnote supporting the second statement cites the FBI’s declaration supporting the breach determination, which also included a slew of exhibits.

Of course, the transcript, declaration, and exhibits are significantly (almost entirely, in the case of the breach exhibits) redacted. Some of those redactions are dictated by law and DOJ regulations. The grand jury transcripts are protected by grand jury secrecy rules. The description of the other DOJ investigation Manafort lied about is protected as an ongoing investigation. And names of unindicted people are protected per DOJ regulations.

But the rest of those materials are redacted for another reason: to protect the investigation.

[empedocles]

1. Marcy Wheeler the Great - Amazing

[pnwmom]

2. She is very smart.

[triron]

3. I love this. Hope Rachel digs into it Monday!

[triron]

4. Thanks for finding this! Makes my day.

[pnwmom]

5. You're welcome. I was happy to read it, too. n/t

[iluvtennis]

6. pnwmom wrote: But the rest of those materials are redacted for another reason: to protect the invest

igation.


++++ agree. You don't show your hand until you claim "Blackjack"

[triron]

8. Checkmate

[erronis]

7. Thanks for bringing this to DU. I religiously (well...) read EmptyWheel several times a day

She/they have become my most trusted source for what's happening in these investigations.

While her timelines and analysis are exceptional and rarely errant, I need more time and other viewpoints to understand the totality. Perhaps that's what a real investigation of a true mob organization (from pedo to capo) requires.

For many months I have despaired at having glimpses at real truths. Now I am hoping that much will finally be revealed. I'll buy bubbly for everyone if this turns out best.

[ehrnst]

20. Me too! (nt)

[triron]

9. Bet Ken Delanian didn't see that!

[pnwmom]

10. He wanted to be the first to opine on the pages he'd just skimmed. n/t

[onetexan]

18. Yes i posted this question on another thread, thank u for pointing this out

[uponit7771]

11. Send it to Maddow

[orangecrush]

12. She has it!

Link to tweet

?s=19

[triron]

14. Hope she sees what Empty Wheel sees.

[orangecrush]

15. That and then some

most likely.

[sellitman]

19. She has a large staff.

Not much gets by them. No doubt she is up on it.

Cheers

[triron]

16. Which are you referring to, the sentencing memo or the Empty Wheel article?

[gopiscrap]

13. Excellent

[triron]

17. knr