Robert Mueller Subpoenas Paul Manafort's Bank Records in Russia Investigation

[applegrove]

Christian Berthelsen and Greg Farrell / Bloomberg, Time

http://time.com/4895426/robert-mueller-paul-manafort-bank-account-subpoena/

"SNIP...........


As prosecutors gather many years of information about his financial affairs, Manafort could be dragged deeper into any number of legal disputes. He has a history of doing business with oligarchs and politicians in Ukraine and Russia that predates his political work for Trump, with payments routed through foreign banks and investments in U.S. real estate.

Part of the reason Manafort is getting intense early scrutiny is that Mueller is drawing on investigations that were well underway, including one by federal prosecutors in Manhattan, when he was appointed in May.

With prosecutors combing through his financial life, the 68-year-old has been toeing a fine line, cooperating with congressional requests for information about the campaign, and insisting he has nothing to hide from Mueller’s team of prosecutors who are delving into his past. Privately, his supporters question Mueller’s work to unearth conduct with no apparent connection to the 2016 election.

Manafort’s spokesman, Jason Maloni, declared last month that Manafort was not a "cooperating witness" -- a legal term for someone who agrees to provide evidence and testimony to prosecutors. When reached Wednesday, he only addressed the revelation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation raid, saying, "Mr. Manafort has consistently cooperated with law enforcement and other serious inquiries and did so on this occasion as well."

.............SNIP"

[procon]

1. These two conflicting statements are irreconcilable

This isn't right:

"He has a history of doing business with oligarchs and politicians in Ukraine and Russia that predates his political work for Trump, with payments routed through foreign banks and investments in U.S. real estate."
...
"Privately, his supporters question Mueller’s work to unearth conduct with no apparent connection to the 2016 election. "

Why did the reporters reach the conclusion that there couldn't be any connection when their own story notes Manafort's long history of dealing with Russians?

[L. Coyote]

2. Drip, drip, drip, is moving pretty fast at last.

And faster than we know, I'm betting. Trump in the White House is a national emergency, for sure, when there is evidence of criminality placing him there.

Link to tweet

[malaise]

3. Off to the greatest page

LOCK THEM ALL UP!!!

[Wellstone ruled]

4. Watch for the overlap of Manafort and Trump Family Bank Accounts.

Wilbur Ross has to be crapping his Depends on this one. Bank of Cyprus used as a transfer? Oh Wilbur,fellas in dark blue suits at the desk.