FBI raids offices, home of Trump's personal lawyer: source

[bristolboy]

19 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Somewhat difficult to give an update when he probably has nothing to implicate Trump in a "high crime", regardless of the overwhelming desire of all anti Trumpers that there is something.

I say that because if there were something "there" it would have been leaked by now. As it hasn't, I have to assume there is nothing to leak.

Is this "leaky" enough for you?

Mueller has evidence Trump attorney Michael Cohen was in Prague in 2016, confirming part of Steele dossier

The Justice Department special counsel has evidence that Donald Trump’s personal lawyer and confidant, Michael Cohen, secretly made a late-summer trip to Prague during the 2016 presidential campaign, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

Confirmation of the trip would lend credence to a retired British spy’s report that Cohen strategized there with a powerful Kremlin figure about Russian meddling in the U.S. election...

Cohen has vehemently denied for months that he ever has been in Prague or colluded with Russia during the campaign.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/mueller-proof-michael-cohen-prague-confirming-dossier-article-1.3932945

 

[Srikcir]

On 4/13/2018 at 9:14 AM, Srikcir said:

His team being FBI investigators detected possible crimes (ie., bank fraud, wire fraud, election fraud) unrelated to the Russian investigation (at least this far - but Cohen as a Subject and likely Target being Trump's personal attorney may also have documentation related to Russian collusion)

Well, well.

Mueller now has independent evidence that Cohen secretly made a late-summer trip to Prague during the 2016 presidential campaign despite Cohen's denials. Confirmation of the trip would lend credence to the Steele report that Cohen strategized there with Konstantin Kosachev, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Federation Council.

Read more here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/white-house/article208870264.html#storylink=cpy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/white-house/article208870264.html

Might Cohen have emails and recordings related to that suspected meeting? If so Mueller will too.

[mogandave]

“Oh what s wicked web we weave...”

Impeach 45, the orange buffoon must go!!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[thaibeachlovers]

22 hours ago, JCauto said:

And look what happened this morning! James Comey's book comes out. You must be very proud of your support for this human bag of slime.

I don't support Comey. What are you on about?

[thaibeachlovers]

3 hours ago, bristolboy said:

Is this "leaky" enough for you?

Mueller has evidence Trump attorney Michael Cohen was in Prague in 2016, confirming part of Steele dossier

The Justice Department special counsel has evidence that Donald Trump’s personal lawyer and confidant, Michael Cohen, secretly made a late-summer trip to Prague during the 2016 presidential campaign, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

Confirmation of the trip would lend credence to a retired British spy’s report that Cohen strategized there with a powerful Kremlin figure about Russian meddling in the U.S. election...

Cohen has vehemently denied for months that he ever has been in Prague or colluded with Russia during the campaign.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/mueller-proof-michael-cohen-prague-confirming-dossier-article-1.3932945

 

Unless they have evidence that Trump told him to go there for some purpose, even if he did so, it makes no difference far as Trump is concerned.

 

BTW, given that the authorities know when any citizen flies out of the country and the destination of the flight is known, I think it's grasping at straws to suggest he made a "secret" trip. Nothing is secret any more.

[thaibeachlovers]

3 hours ago, bristolboy said:

Is this "leaky" enough for you?

Mueller has evidence Trump attorney Michael Cohen was in Prague in 2016, confirming part of Steele dossier

The Justice Department special counsel has evidence that Donald Trump’s personal lawyer and confidant, Michael Cohen, secretly made a late-summer trip to Prague during the 2016 presidential campaign, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

Confirmation of the trip would lend credence to a retired British spy’s report that Cohen strategized there with a powerful Kremlin figure about Russian meddling in the U.S. election...

Cohen has vehemently denied for months that he ever has been in Prague or colluded with Russia during the campaign.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/mueller-proof-michael-cohen-prague-confirming-dossier-article-1.3932945

 

 

From the link

The sources did not say whether Cohen took a commercial flight or private jet to Europe, and gave no explanation as to why no record of such a trip has surfaced.

 

WOW, it's those "sources" again. Given the "sources" have been wrong so many times already, IMO it's clutching at straws ( again ) to believe them.

Trump wasn't president then, so he couldn't have arranged for the government to spirit him out and back.

[bristolboy]

4 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

 

From the link

The sources did not say whether Cohen took a commercial flight or private jet to Europe, and gave no explanation as to why no record of such a trip has surfaced.

 

WOW, it's those "sources" again. Given the "sources" have been wrong so many times already, IMO it's clutching at straws ( again ) to believe them.

Trump wasn't president then, so he couldn't have arranged for the government to spirit him out and back.

So you're saying that this is not a leak?

[Srikcir]

7 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

BTW, given that the authorities know when any citizen flies out of the country and the destination of the flight is known

Cohen flew to Germany where his passport on entry would have been stamped. He then flew to Prague which didn't require an entry stamp from Germany. American authorities would not be aware of that trip. He had pointed as proof that he didn't travel to Prague his passport pages that didn't show a stamp from the Czech Republic.

http://thehill.com/homenews/news/383123-mueller-can-prove-cohen-made-secret-trip-to-prague-before-the-election-report

Cohen apparently records many of his contacts. Perhaps to replay for Trump to show what a valuable  employee he is? I think its even odds that Cohen's pc has a lot of information with his alleged meeting with prominent ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Konstantin Kosachev.

[Andaman Al]

2 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

 

BTW, given that the authorities know when any citizen flies out of the country and the destination of the flight is known, I think it's grasping at straws to suggest he made a "secret" trip. Nothing is secret any more.

He flew to Germany and just drove/flew to Prague. (Drove being the most likely - but Mueller knows anyway) Schengen states do not require cross border visa stamps etc. If it s true Cohen is looking at a LONG time in jail. Will Mueller allow him to plea bargain ...not a chance.

 

2 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Unless they have evidence that Trump told him to go there for some purpose, even if he did so, it makes no difference far as Trump is concerned.

Oh, is this just another thing that Trump's lawyer did without any knowledge of his "client" and paid for the trip and kept it covert so that not only the general public knew nothing of it but also his client? Cohen IS the perfect lawyer even though he goes against every ethics rule that lawyers are not permitted to break. 

 

Just give up the faux defence of Trump and Cohen, it is just soooooooo embarrassing for you.

[Gecko123]

Politicans who become criminal or criminals who become politicans? Starting to look more and more like the latter is the case. Needs to be pointed out that for their greed, profiteering, and contempt for social institutions, the truth and the rule of law, the 1930's National Socialists were also described as criminals who became politicians. Disturbing echos from the past indeed.

Edited April 14, 2018 by Gecko123

[Jingthing]

COHEN in PRAGUE.

Potentially, a big deal.

A very big deal. 

Stay tuned.

 

Quote

 

Michael Cohen’s visiting Prague would be a huge development in the Russia investigation

...

Look at it another way: If the central conceit of the Steele’s claim were accurate — that Cohen was working with agents of the Russian government directly to aid Trump’s candidacy — it would be very hard to argue that no collusion took place. That likely requires Cohen’s having been in Prague.

This is our first significant indication that he might have been.

 

 

 

http://www.paywallnews.com/news/Analysis-|-Michael-Cohen’s-visiting-Prague-would-be-a-huge-development-in-the-Russia-investigation.r1KMHvk3z.html

[Basil B]

 

On 10/04/2018 at 2:36 AM, Andaman Al said:

I bet Cohen is a worried bunny now.

 Remember all they could pin on Al Capone was Tax Fraud...

 

They will be looking at Cohen's books and bank accounts very closely, money laundering and tax evasion could well be on the cards.  

[selftaopath]

9 hours ago, Gecko123 said:

Politicans who become criminal or criminals who become politicans? Starting to look more and more like the latter is the case. Needs to be pointed out that for their greed, profiteering, and contempt for social institutions, the truth and the rule of law, the 1930's National Socialists were also described as criminals who became politicians. Disturbing echos from the past indeed.

Republican party are politicians who became criminals, and Trump a criminal who became a politician. All at the expense of America/ U.S. Institutions/Rule of Law/ Democracy. I hope they all get exactly what they deserve. Oh and let's not forget the evangelical defenders who clearly are hypocrites if nothing else. 

[Srikcir]

10 hours ago, Andaman Al said:

Cohen IS the perfect lawyer even though he goes against every ethics rule that lawyers are not permitted to break. 

Not to mention, according to Cohen's lawyers, he has retained 30 years worth of materials that were part of the FBI seizure! In response to the judge asked by Cohen's attorney to rule that much of the materials (millions!) seized by the FBI were covered by client privilege, the judge asked the attorney to identify those clients. Cohen's attorney FAILED. No doubt Trump and the Trump Organization have been Cohen's only client but obviously that wouldn't please the judge.

 

Cohen's attorney implied that any contact Cohen made was privileged. It's not.

The contact has to be have been designated a client (contractually or verbally), substance of contact has to be related to legal advice and no other parties can be present if they are not also designated as clients. Seems Cohen's attorney is grasping at a defense for Cohen's thuggish "fixer" behavior (ie., as a Trump-cloned businessman) rather than for Cohen's professional legal work. Short of the FBI designating any materials as privileged, Cohen's request will be denied.

Edited April 15, 2018 by Srikcir
verb

[selftaopath]

Here is a very significant statement:

 

[Chomper Higgot]

5 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Not to mention, according to Cohen's lawyers, he has retained 30 years worth of materials that were part of the FBI seizure! In response to the judge asked by Cohen's attorney to rule that much of the materials (millions!) seized by the FBI were covered by client privilege, the judge asked the attorney to identify those clients. Cohen's attorney FAILED. No doubt Trump and the Trump Organization have been Cohen's only client but obviously that wouldn't please the judge.

 

Cohen's attorney implied that any contact Cohen made was privileged. It's not.

The contact has to be have been designated a client (contractually or verbally), substance of contact has to be related to legal advice and no other parties can be present if they are not also designated as clients. Seems Cohen's attorney is grasping at a defense for Cohen's thuggish "fixer" behavior (ie., as a Trump-cloned businessman) rather than for Cohen's professional legal work. Short of the FBI designating any materials as privileged, Cohen's request will be denied.

The judge's request to Cohen to produce his list of clients is far more than a means to determine what data is subject to Attorney/Client privilege, it opens the door to determine if Cohen is in truth acting as a lawyer and not simply as a hired nasty thug with a law degree. 

 

If he cannot demonstrate his relationship with his clients is that of a bonafide lawyer then the whole 'Attorney/Client Privilege' question is thrown out of court. 

 

Clearly, claiming to be a lawyer would be a fabulous way to hide one's actions for and interactions with clients, it is very natural that the prosecutors will start by questioning if Comey is actually a lawyer acting as a lawyer....... 

 

And Lordy, he made tapes of all his phone calls. 

Edited April 15, 2018 by Chomper Higgot

[Srikcir]

FBI raid on Cohen produces another SNL parody:

 

[boomerangutang]

Cohen will be facing a stark choice:  either...

 

A. many years in prison, or

 

B. several years in prison, for telling some truth.

 

He's having to decide what's more important:   freedom (with family and kids and vacations) or loyalty to a loathsome sack of shit.

 

 

Edited April 15, 2018 by boomerangutang

[Srikcir]

1 hour ago, boomerangutang said:

Cohen will be facing a stark choice:  either...

C. Bet that Trump will pardon him for all federal crimes once he has been charged.

Trump's pardon of Libby might send that message.

[Jingthing]

3 hours ago, Srikcir said:

C. Bet that Trump will pardon him for all federal crimes once he has been charged.

Trump's pardon of Libby might send that message.

Yes, but, "trump" is still very vulnerable.

He so hates that and is so not used to that.

He's cornered. He's powerful. Danger, Will Robinson!

 

Quote

 

The thing is, Mr. Trump is unlikely to be able to use his pardon power to get out of his legal jam. That’s because several of his potential firewalls — Mr. Manafort, Mr. Cohen and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner — could be charged at the state level for the financial crimes they’re suspected of. A federal pardon would simply move their prosecution beyond Mr. Trump’s control.

And there are many more people who can incriminate the president, whereas in the investigation into Ms. Plame’s exposure, Mr. Libby was one of the only people who could say whether the president had authorized the leak of a C.I.A. officer’s identity. Already, three key witnesses have agreed to cooperate with Mr. Mueller against the president, so it’s probably too late to start silencing witnesses.

 

http://www.paywallnews.com/life/Opinion-|-Trump-Pardoned-Libby-to-Protect-Himself-From-Mueller.HkzxQTAjG.html

[selftaopath]

7 hours ago, boomerangutang said:

Cohen will be facing a stark choice:  either...

 

A. many years in prison, or

 

B. several years in prison, for telling some truth.

 

He's having to decide what's more important:   freedom (with family and kids and vacations) or loyalty to a loathsome sack of shit.

 

 

But his adopted "daddy" could pardon him correct? Trump will do anything/everything to protect his fat/aging butt. He will burn America to the ground if necessary. 

[boomerangutang]

6 hours ago, Srikcir said:

C. Bet that Trump will pardon him for all federal crimes once he has been charged.

Trump's pardon of Libby might send that message.

You're right about 'federal crimes', but several of the current charges against Cohen are being pursued by NY state.  Trump can't pardon for state-level crimes.

 

35 minutes ago, selftaopath said:

But his adopted "daddy" could pardon him correct? Trump will do anything/everything to protect his fat/aging butt. He will burn America to the ground if necessary. 

Yes, he will crap on everyone in his vicinity, to save his fake-orange skin.  Ivanka will be the last, if it comes to that.  Ivanka could be facing charges for collaborating with x-listed entities (Azerbaijan mafia and Iran's Revolutionary Guards) re; biz interests in Baku. 

 

I know it sounds like conspiracy hocus pocus at this point, ....but look at all the the other charges cascading down on Trump's associates (such as Jared trying to set up a secret channel to Putin via the Russian embassy), ....and there seems to be no limit to the crazy machinations Trump's cabal will roll out.   If this narrative had been written as a novel 4 years ago, publishers would have laughed the author out of their offices - as concocting stories too ridiculous to be believable.

[BuriramSam]

On 4/13/2018 at 10:23 AM, lannarebirth said:

 

She's dating the most powerful politician in California, she failed the bar, she gets appointed to multiple high paying government positions by the man she is dating. Call it what you like.

Then there's the fact she's as dumb as a box of rocks, as evidenced by her failed attempts at bullying at several hearings.

[FritsSikkink]

9 hours ago, Srikcir said:

C. Bet that Trump will pardon him for all federal crimes once he has been charged.

Trump's pardon of Libby might send that message.

You need to be president to pardon him, by that time Trump will be indicted too

[Srikcir]

1 hour ago, FritsSikkink said:

You need to be president to pardon him, by that time Trump will be indicted too

No.

Until the president has been impeached by the Senate he is still president. As such he can pardon anyone without justification accused, convicted or sentenced of a federal crime.

[mogandave]

You need to be president to pardon him, by that time Trump will be indicted too

ASI understand it, the President can’t be indicted.

[bristolboy]

2 minutes ago, mogandave said:

 

ASI understand it, the President can’t be indicted.

 

It's not a settled question.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/yes-a-president-can-be-indicted-the-nixon-tapes-case-proves-it/2017/12/07/26339e32-db4d-11e7-a841-2066faf731ef_story.html?utm_term=.fb777db2141b

[Andaman Al]

2 minutes ago, mogandave said:

 

ASI understand it, the President can’t be indicted.

 

So is he essentially above the law? Serious question. If he is suspected of being guilty of criminal offences as indicated by the evidence and testimony that will be gathered how is he charged/dealt with?

[Jingthing]

ASI understand it, the President can’t be indicted.

Well Mueller won't indict him no matter what. Serious allegations would become an impeachment decision. Personally I think most Americans are mostly OK with presidents in general dodging prison.

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[bristolboy]

10 hours ago, BuriramSam said:

Then there's the fact she's as dumb as a box of rocks, as evidenced by her failed attempts at bullying at several hearings.

Really?

June 13, 20176:51 pm

Kamala Harris Pummels Jeff Sessions So Badly That John McCain Has to Stop Her

...Sessions would refuse to answer questions about President Trump, but would not cite any legal basis for this refusal. Instead, he described his refusal as a long-standing “policy” of the Department of Justice. Several Democrats on the committee noted the absurdity of his position, but the most effective interlocutor was California senator Kamala Harris, who, in a brutal exchange, exposed the fact that the “policy” was just made up.

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/06/kamala-harris-pummels-sessions-so-badly-mccain-interrupts.html