Tony Podesta stepping down from lobbying giant amid Mueller probe
Source: Politico
By ANNA PALMER 10/30/2017 01:02 PM EDT
Democratic power lobbyist Tony Podesta, founder of the Podesta Group, is stepping down from the firm that bears his name after coming under investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller. Podesta announced his decision during a firm-wide meeting Monday morning and is alerting clients of his impending departure.
Podesta is handing over full operational and financial control to longtime firm CEO Kimberley Fritts, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the meeting. Fritts and a senior group of the Podesta team will be launching a new firm in the next one or two days. Sources said the transition has been in the works for the past several months.
[Tony] was very magnanimous and said, This is an amazing group of people, a source said of Podestas remarks. Podesta also told staff he doesnt intend to go quietly, or learn how to play golf. He said he needs to fight this as an individual, but doesnt want the firm to fight it.
Fritts also addressed the gathering, telling staff that she is thrilled at this opportunity and that, This is not about me, this is about yall. Several other senior staff spoke about their excitement about the future of the firm. The meeting ended with a standing ovation for Podesta.
Read more: https://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/30/tony-podesta-stepping-down-from-lobbying-giant-amid-mueller-probe-244314
BumRushDaShow
(129,454 posts)Bernardo de La Paz
(49,040 posts)Not Ruth
(3,613 posts)What happens to the old firm? It sounds like they are shifting everything over and dropping the old firm. Obviously the clients will move.
iluvtennis
(19,871 posts)From th article
The investigation into Podesta and his firm grew out of investigators examination of Manaforts finances. Manafort organized a PR campaign on behalf of a nonprofit called the European Centre for a Modern Ukraine. Podesta Group was one of several firms that were paid to do work on the PR campaign to promote Ukraine in the U.S.
Kingofalldems
(38,476 posts)Bradical79
(4,490 posts)If I'm understanding this correctly, he claims he was deceived into thinking this campaign was from an independant think tank. Otherwise I guess it would be a FARA related crime.
Oneironaut
(5,524 posts)Dr. Jack
(675 posts)Let him rot in jail with any other criminal. He should be careful though since he will likely be in prison with about 170 trump administration officials