U.S. judge questions special counsel's powers in Manafort case

[Chicks]

Originally Posted by whell

But then, if this behavior is somehow "wrong", I'd also wonder how what Cohen allegedly did is any different from what Washington "insiders" do on a regular basis.

There you go, defending slimeball Cohen again! You are so morally corrupt, like your hero Donny, that you don’t even realize when you’re defending the slime, lol.

[Rajoo]

More fake news on the Cohen corruption racket. AT&T actually sent a company wide email to it's employees as to why they paid Cohen.

'We want you to know the facts,' AT&T emails employees in wake of Trump lawyer payment controversy

"Essential Consulting was one of several firms we engaged in early 2017 to provide insights into understanding the new administration," the company's statement says. "They did no legal or lobbying work for us, and the contract ended in December 2017."

AT&T is in the middle of a merger battle with the federal government over its acquisition of media and entertainment company Time Warner. AT&T and Time Warner entered into a merger agreement in October 2016, and the Justice Department filed a lawsuit to block the deal last November.

The deal is valued at nearly $109 billion, including debt. It would give AT&T ownership of Time Warner's valuable TV and movie content, including networks like HBO and CNN.

https://www.dallasnews.com/business/...nt-controversy

[Rajoo]

Originally Posted by whell

Why? Do you enjoy it that much when you do it?

I am smarter than that but sorry, can't say the same about you.

[Rajoo]

Originally Posted by whell

But then, if this behavior is somehow "wrong", I'd also wonder how what Cohen allegedly did is any different from what Washington "insiders" do on a regular basis.

Know any porn stars these lobbyists have paid off lately for Trump?
Why isn't Cohen a registered lobbyist then?

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by whell

But then, if this behavior is somehow "wrong", I'd also wonder how what Cohen allegedly did is any different from what Washington "insiders" do on a regular basis.

Registering as a lobbyist is required by law. Minor infractions can result in civil penalties of $200K per violation. "Corrupt" lobbying infractions are felonies with penalties of to 5 years in prison.
https://www.rollcall.com/news/the_33...-225722-1.html

Paying off pornstars for the President immediately before an election is a violation of campaign finance laws and if this is considered a "willful" violation of campaign finance law, it is also a felony.

You certainly have a habit of defending felonious conduct as long as it done by a Trump sycophant. How understanding of you.

[Rajoo]

AT&T, Novartis Ties to Cohen Reveal Backdoor Bids to Reach Trump

Both AT&T and Novartis confirmed they made the payments to Cohen in a bid for understanding and access in the new administration. Cohen initiated the discussions with Novartis, according to a person familiar with the situation who asked not to be named because the matter isn’t public.

Novartis said it paid Cohen $1.2 million in 12 monthly payments beginning in February 2017, just days after Trump’s inauguration. Novartis said it determined early on that Cohen wasn’t going to be able to help with heath-care policy matters, but it continued to make payments until the contract expired because it couldn’t be terminated for cause.

Besides Cohen, others have taken on consulting roles based on their access to Trump, including his former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. Lewandowski, who has been an occasional visitor to the White House and has traveled at least twice with the president on Air Force One, established consulting businesses after the election, but never registered to lobby.
Trump Access

Elliott Broidy, a major fundraiser for Trump’s campaign, sought to profit from his access to the president, according to emails that were hacked and leaked to the media. According to a three-page summary of a meeting in the Oval Office last October, Broidy touted the creation of a counterterrorism task force consisting of 5,000 Muslim soldiers who would fight the Taliban and Islamic State -- with help from one of Broidy’s companies, Circinus LLC, a defense contractor based in Virginia.

Broidy suggested to the president that the deputy commander of the United Arab Emirates’ armed forces meet with Trump in New York or New Jersey. Two months later, the UAE, which had joined Saudi Arabia in an embargo of Qatar that Broidy supported, awarded a $200 million contract to Circinus to perform confidential work, according to Broidy.

Cohen and Broidy were also deputy finance chairmen for the RNC.

http://fortune.com/2018/04/10/the-mi...nal-committee/

[whell]

Originally Posted by finnbow

There's no discernible difference between the two stories.

I laughed out loud at this. Thanks for that.

Now, please tell me exactly where the anonymous, unaccountable source was quoted as saying anything like:

Contrary to recent media reports, this agreement was also in no way related to the group dinner Dr. Narasimhan had at the World Economic Forum in Davos with President Trump and 15 Europe based industry leaders. Suggestions to the contrary clearly misrepresent the facts and can only be intended to further personal or political agendas as to which Novartis should not be a part.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by whell

I laughed out loud at this. Thanks for that.

Now, please tell me exactly where the anonymous, unaccountable source was quoted as saying anything like:

Contrary to recent media reports, this agreement was also in no way related to the group dinner Dr. Narasimhan had at the World Economic Forum in Davos with President Trump and 15 Europe based industry leaders. Suggestions to the contrary clearly misrepresent the facts and can only be intended to further personal or political agendas as to which Novartis should not be a part.

That does not represent a material difference between the two statements. I too doubt that Cohen was paid $1.2 million solely to make sure a Novartis dude ate dinner with your Dear Leader.

[whell]

Originally Posted by finnbow

That does not represent a material difference between the two statements. I too doubt that Cohen was paid $1.2 million solely to make sure a Novartis dude ate dinner with your Dear Leader.

Sure it does. It demonstrates that there's quite possibly / probably a difference in motivation between the unaccountable anonymous source and the company. Not that a point like that would make much difference to NBC News.....

[bobabode]

Hey Mike, do you buy that Trumpberry Kool-ade by the carboy or does it come in concentrate?