Mueller Investigation pt5

[CapelDodger]

I'd guess DB also knew what Trump's property was actually worth, but needed him to inflate it for their own books.

No doubt at all : Trump's nature was never any mystery to them, while everything's a mystery to Trump, he just doesn't know it. DB will have said "say it's worth such much, we'll sign off on it, we do that for our most special and brilliant clients", then they have him compromised, and then the Brighton Beach people emerge from the background ...

 

[acbytesla]

Manafort gets 47 months.

So what happened to decades Libs, LOL?

I guess this is what passes for justice in TS Ellis's courtroom. Federal guidelines are 20 to 24 years. He is also tod be sentenced for up to 10 years in DC and could be retried for the other charges that finished with a hung jury because of one juror.

 

[WilliamSeger]

Manafort gets 47 months.

So what happened to decades Libs, LOL?

It's called the two-tier criminal justice system, and the politics of this case aside, this kind of CRAP happens all the time. If you're a black man stealing money to eat, they throw the book at you. If you're rich and you're stealing millions because you're just a greedy son-of-a-bitch, you get a slap on the wrist.

 

[Stacyhs]

Manafort gets 47 months.

So what happened to decades Libs, LOL?

Your glee at 'sticking it to the Libs' is palpable. Does it make your day that Manafort only got 47 months for five counts of tax fraud, one count of failure to file a report of foreign bank and financial accounts and two counts of bank fraud? This has less to do with Manafort's criminal acts for you than seeing it as some kind of victory over Mueller. It isn't.

 

[acbytesla]

It's called the two-tier criminal justice system, and the politics of this case aside, this kind of CRAP happens all the time. If you're a black man stealing money to eat, they throw the book at you. If you're rich and you're stealing millions because you're just a greedy son-of-a-bitch, you get a slap on the wrist.

I think this is a total ******* disgrace.

 

[Cain]

Does it make your day that Manafort only got 47 months for five counts of tax fraud, one count of failure to file a report of foreign bank and financial accounts and two counts of bank fraud?

Yes.

 

[smartcooky]

Manafort gets 47 months.

So what happened to decades Libs, LOL?

It ain't over yet.

The judge in Virginia is well known for his anti Mueller stance, and for going easy on white collar criminals... sentenced a white collar criminal who hid $200m overseas and paid no tax on it to 7 months.

Also keep in mind that Manafort has been HUGELY hit in the pocket, forfeiting three bank accounts and a life insurance policy totaling $24 million, and five New York properties estimated to be worth $22 million. That's $46 million. Two of the properties were purchased with offshore funds as a form of money laundering.

But most importantly, he has yet to be sentenced by Hangin' Judge Amy Berman-Jackson. He's admitted guilt to some very serious crimes in her court; witness tampering and obstruction of justice included. She's the judge who revoked his bail because of his witness tampering and his efforts to disappear documents, remember?. She could give him to 10 years for those, and she could force him to serve those sentences consecutively which would be 14 years.

Also, New York prosecutors are investigating him, and if they charge him, and he's found guilty, those convictions will be pardon proof.

 

[The Great Zaganza]

And keep in mind that the money Manafort forfeit wasn't his - it's mostly advance payments from foreign influencers who didn't get what they paid him for. I wouldn't be surprised if they find ways to get the rest of his money.

 

[Aridas]

What makes you think he would pay the contractors at all?

"Let's be absurdly generous"

TO be fair, that DOJ opinion was expressed a long time before Trump took office. and it applies only to federal charges.

Is it correct to characterize it as having been also rather political in nature? I think I recall reading that was an opinion specifically tailored to produce a specific desired outcome.

Manafort gets 47 months.

So what happened to decades Libs, LOL?

Judge with a history of going easy on white collar crime and MAGA support went absurdly easy on white collar crime and claimed that Manafort had an otherwise spotless record (Seriously? WTF?). The sentencing isn't even remotely close to the normal recommendations, for that matter. Kids who stole $100 have gotten longer sentences than Manafort, despite his theft of millions. Heck, a guy who legally bought marijuana and took it home apparently got 12 years not that long ago.

This is a fine sign about how broken our judicial system still is, quite frankly.

So what'll happen to the 47 months?

Hard to say at this point. If it actually were concurrent, though, the sentences would simply be being served at the same time.

Also, New York prosecutors are investigating him, and if they charge him, and he's found guilty, those convictions will be pardon proof.

There's also still the possibility of more from Mueller, really, especially if and when a comprehensive "collusion" drop actually happens. So far, such has been alluded to in what Mueller's put out, but none of the direct charges of conspiracy have been made and revealed, yet.

 

[Cain]

Propping up dictatorships and illegally laundering money will never change the fact that Manafort's a stand up guy.

 

[The Great Zaganza]

Propping up dictatorships and illegally laundering money will never change the fact that Manafort's a stand up guy.

 

[Cavemonster]

Nothing short of kicking Trump out of office may satisfy some of Trump's biggest opponents.

I think in this regard the Mueller report will be a letdown. I called it two years ago. Many of his campaign management may be recommended jail time and any Russians who were involved in coordinating with elements of Trump's campaign will be deported (if they haven't been already) or inaccessible.

There won't be enough evidence to indict Trump on anything related to Russian interference.

My personal prediction, there may not be evidence beyond a reasonable doubt of Trump's personal involvement in conspiracy with the Russian government. But, like Nixon, I'm imagining the cover up may yield more undeniable crimes. The actual conspiracy would have involved a lot of people smarter than Trump, and may be buried well. But I find it much less likely that the perjury, obstruction of justice etc. Involved in covering up on Trump's end will be as well hidden.

Given the political nature of impeachment, this may still fizzle, but I find it most likely that Mueller has evidence beyond reasonable doubt that Trump perpetrated serious crimes.

 

[Aridas]

Propping up dictatorships and illegally laundering money will never change the fact that Manafort's a stand up guy.

Nor will getting American soldiers assaulted by huge crowds, either.

 

[Belz...]

Manafort gets 47 months.

So what happened to decades Libs, LOL?

What does being a "lib" have to do with any of this?

 

[Aridas]

What does being a "lib" have to do with any of this?

Liberals seem to be the ones on the side of the rule of law, after all. The fake conservatives, on the other hand, have made it quiet clear that they're not.

Also, Trump is the President in fair part because he could outrage "liberals" so well, after all.

 

[applecorped]

Liberals seem to be the ones on the side of the rule of law, after all.

 

[Aridas]

You're welcome! It really is too bad when one looks at far too many fake conservatives, either way, as they increasingly endorse the rule of man over the rule of law, but try to claim otherwise with banal trivialities that don't actually address the issue.

 

[The Great Zaganza]

Wiping your butt with the Sentencing Guidelines because you support the President - sounds like Order for Us, Law for those we don't like.

 

[Belz...]

Liberals seem to be the ones on the side of the rule of law, after all. The fake conservatives, on the other hand, have made it quiet clear that they're not.

I think they made it loud clear, myself.

 

[Fast Eddie B]

I was sure Manafort would be sentenced to, at minimum, 10 years in prison. It’s easy to lose sight of how much a million dollars is, much less the obscene amounts Manafort was not paying in taxes. And SO many folks have done SO much more time for SO much less money misappropriated.

Then again, a 4 year sentence, while never fun, could be shrugged off by someone in their 20’s or 30’s with a lifetime ahead of them on release. At 70, even 4 years incarcerated represents a major portion of their time left on earth - time during which the quality of life, and often health, are on a decline. Often a precipitous decline.

We can only hope prosecutors are dedicated enough to refile the prior charges which were hung, or that the other court will not roll over so easily. But I’m not holding my breath.