Trump can’t pardon anyone for state crimes…
Special counsel Robert Mueller’s team is working with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman on its investigation into Paul Manafort and his financial transactions, according to several people familiar with the matter.
The cooperation is the latest indication that the federal probe into President Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman is intensifying. It also could potentially provide Mueller with additional leverage to get Manafort to cooperate in the larger investigation into Trump’s campaign, as Trump does not have pardon power over state crimes.
The two teams have shared evidence and talked frequently in recent weeks about a potential case, these people said. One of the people familiar with progress on the case said both Mueller’s and Schneiderman’s teams have collected evidence on financial crimes, including potential money laundering.
BREAKING: @politico report: Mueller's team working with NY AG Schneiderman (Trump can't pardon state crimes) #inners https://t.co/J1NACdXmgm
— All In w/Chris Hayes (@allinwithchris) August 31, 2017
No decision has been made on where or whether to file charges. “Nothing is imminent,” said one of the people familiar with the case.
.@RepMaxineWaters on Mueller: "He's not backing up, he is going to go his job. I'm excited." #inners https://t.co/fwiGqyDncu
— All In w/Chris Hayes (@allinwithchris) August 31, 2017
Manafort has not been accused of any wrongdoing and has previously denied it. A spokesman for Manafort didn’t return phone calls seeking comment.
A representative for Mueller’s office declined to comment, as did the New York attorney general’s office.
People close to Manafort say the team has pressured him by approaching family members and former business partners. A number of other firms and people who have worked with him have received subpoenas.
Federal agents also conducted an early-morning raid at Manafort’s home in late July, seizing documents and other items.
Manafort did not resist the search, his spokesman Jason Maloni said at the time of the raid.
State and federal prosecutors believe the prospect of a presidential pardon could affect whether Manafort decides to cooperate investigators in the federal Trump investigation, said one of the people familiar with the matter.
While Trump has not signaled any public intention to pardon Manafort or anyone else involved in the Russia investigations, the president has privately discussed his pardon powers with his advisers.
Mueller’s team has been looking into Manafort’s lobbying work and financial transactions, including real estate deals in New York.
Schneiderman has a contentious history with Trump. The president has mocked him relentlessly on social media and TV, denouncing him as a “hack” and “lightweight.”
https://twitter.com/nytmike/status/903654782052818944
https://twitter.com/Wanderer19/status/903664852308082692
Manafort Notes From Russian Meet Contain Cryptic Reference to ‘Donations’
by KEN DILANIAN and CAROL E. LEE
AUG 31 2017, 1:52 PM ET
WASHINGTON — Paul Manafort’s notes from a controversial Trump Tower meeting with Russians during the 2016 presidential campaign included the word “donations,” near a reference to the Republican National Committee, two sources briefed on the evidence told NBC News.
The references, which have not been previously disclosed, elevated the significance of the June 2016 meeting for congressional investigators, who are focused on determining whether it included any discussion of donations from Russian sources to either the Trump campaign or the Republican Party.
It is illegal for foreigners to donate to American elections. The meeting happened just as Trump had secured the Republican nomination for president, and he was considered a longshot to win. Manafort was the campaign chairman at the time.
Comment from BJ and my response:
@Jeffro:
I honestly believe he’s never come across anyone like Bobby Three Sticks in his entire life, and it’s confusing him. There were two important pieces of information that dropped yesterday.
1. The more publicized piece is him working with Schneiderman
2. The less publicized info that dropped is some Russian that he had testify under oath – WEEKS AGO.
https://youtu.be/S95hrT1N0Dc
YESSSSSS!!!
YESSSSS!!!!!!
Finally, some positive news.
As they say in the Wire…
” Mueller Coming”
https://68.media.tumblr.com/1000ff43af51f9b03d2e79a4eada5865/tumblr_nx82tmcRvF1u1y9ruo1_400.gif
https://twitter.com/MaddowBlog/status/903069147294081025
https://twitter.com/LouiseMensch/status/903069197583953920
Trump finna go down…..Mueller & Schneiderman are going to NAIL his ass!
https://twitter.com/PalmerReport/status/903052090091687938