Feds Execute Search Warrant At Rudy Giuliani's Home

[Markinsa]

Judicial Watch Sues State Department for Documents on Ambassador Yovanovitch’s ‘Untouchables’ List

BY MARK TAPSCOTT

 

December 4, 2019 Updated: December 4, 2019

biggersmaller 

Print

Judicial Watch announced on Dec. 4 it has filed suit in federal court seeking to force the Department of State to release documents the nonprofit government watchdog requested two months ago concerning the “untouchables” list former U.S. Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch gave Ukraine Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko in 2016.

 

The State Department acknowledged receiving the Judicial Watch FOIA the same day it was filed, Sept. 24. But the government has since failed to produce “the requested records or demonstrated that the requested records are lawfully exempt from production,” or informed Judicial Watch “of the scope of any responsive records they intend to produce or withhold and the reasons for any withholdings.”

 

Judicial Watch sought the documents after investigative journalist John Solomon reported on March 26 that “Lutsenko told me he was stunned when the ambassador ‘gave me a list of people whom we should not prosecute.’”

 

More recently, The New York Times reported that “shortly after taking up her post in 2016, the American ambassador to Ukraine, Marie L. Yovanovitch, went to meet the new prosecutor general, Mr. Lutsenko, in his office—and complained that his deputies were stained by corruption, according to two Ukrainian officials familiar with the encounter.”

 

“The ambassador then pressed Mr. Lutsenko further, the officials said, asking him to stop investigating anti-corruption activists who were supported by the American Embassy and had criticized his work.”

 

The anti-corruption activists Yovanovitch sought to protect against Lutsenko’s investigation were associated with Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption Action Center (AntAC), which was funded by the U.S. government under President Barack Obama and by grants from organizations controlled by left-wing European financier George Soros, according to Judicial Watch.

 

“The implied message to Ukraine’s prosecutors was clear: Don’t target AntAC in the middle of an American presidential election in which Soros was backing Hillarious Clinton to succeed another Soros favorite, Barack Obama, Ukrainian officials said,” Solomon reported.

 

Solomon also reported that then-U.S. Embassy Chargé d’ Affaires George Kent had also sought to derail Lutsenko’s investigations.

 

Yovanovitch, who was dismissed from her diplomatic post in May 2017 by President Donald Trump, and Kent testified earlier this year before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence in both closed-door and public hearings. The former ambassador claimed in her deposition that she didn’t provide Lutsenko with the list.

 

Yovanovitch retains her government salary while teaching one course at Georgetown University.

 

The Sept. 24 FOIA request was part of Judicial Watch’s investigation of reports that Yovanovitch also used government resources to target multiple prominent conservative figures allied with Trump and journalists.

 

Among those Judicial Watch said were targeted by Yovanovitch were Fox News figures Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, and Dan Bongino, as well as journalists Jack Posobiec and Sara Carter, and former Trump White House official Sebastian Gorka.

In its suit, Judicial Watch asked the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to order the State Department to produce the requested records or explain why they are exempted from disclosure, including:

 

All records of communication between the Department of State and any representative of the Ukrainian government regarding any actual or proposed investigation or prosecution of the AntAC; the International Renaissance Foundation [Open Society Foundations’ office in Ukraine]; or Transparency International.

All records concerning any meeting or telephonic conversation between Yovanovitch and Lutsenko.

 

All records related to the list of individuals and entities provided to Lutsenko by Yovanovitch in late 2016.

 

Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said in a statement announcing the suit that “reports suggest that the Ukrainian Embassy was a hotbed of anti-Trump, Deep State activism and tried to promote and protect leftist allies in Ukraine and the United States.

 

“As the coup attack on President Trump continues, this new federal lawsuit is designed to get to the real truth of the Deep State’s games in Ukraine.”

Contact Mark Tapscott at Mark.Tapscott@epochtimes.nyc

[Shabibilicious]

3 minutes ago, Markinsa said:

Judicial Watch Sues State Department for Documents on Ambassador Yovanovitch’s ‘Untouchables’ List

BY MARK TAPSCOTT

 

December 4, 2019 Updated: December 4, 2019

biggersmaller 

Print

Judicial Watch announced on Dec. 4 it has filed suit in federal court seeking to force the Department of State to release documents the nonprofit government watchdog requested two months ago concerning the “untouchables” list former U.S. Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch gave Ukraine Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko in 2016.

 

The State Department acknowledged receiving the Judicial Watch FOIA the same day it was filed, Sept. 24. But the government has since failed to produce “the requested records or demonstrated that the requested records are lawfully exempt from production,” or informed Judicial Watch “of the scope of any responsive records they intend to produce or withhold and the reasons for any withholdings.”

 

Judicial Watch sought the documents after investigative journalist John Solomon reported on March 26 that “Lutsenko told me he was stunned when the ambassador ‘gave me a list of people whom we should not prosecute.’”

 

More recently, The New York Times reported that “shortly after taking up her post in 2016, the American ambassador to Ukraine, Marie L. Yovanovitch, went to meet the new prosecutor general, Mr. Lutsenko, in his office—and complained that his deputies were stained by corruption, according to two Ukrainian officials familiar with the encounter.”

 

“The ambassador then pressed Mr. Lutsenko further, the officials said, asking him to stop investigating anti-corruption activists who were supported by the American Embassy and had criticized his work.”

 

The anti-corruption activists Yovanovitch sought to protect against Lutsenko’s investigation were associated with Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption Action Center (AntAC), which was funded by the U.S. government under President Barack Obama and by grants from organizations controlled by left-wing European financier George Soros, according to Judicial Watch.

 

“The implied message to Ukraine’s prosecutors was clear: Don’t target AntAC in the middle of an American presidential election in which Soros was backing Hillarious Clinton to succeed another Soros favorite, Barack Obama, Ukrainian officials said,” Solomon reported.

 

Solomon also reported that then-U.S. Embassy Chargé d’ Affaires George Kent had also sought to derail Lutsenko’s investigations.

 

Yovanovitch, who was dismissed from her diplomatic post in May 2017 by President Donald Trump, and Kent testified earlier this year before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence in both closed-door and public hearings. The former ambassador claimed in her deposition that she didn’t provide Lutsenko with the list.

 

Yovanovitch retains her government salary while teaching one course at Georgetown University.

 

The Sept. 24 FOIA request was part of Judicial Watch’s investigation of reports that Yovanovitch also used government resources to target multiple prominent conservative figures allied with Trump and journalists.

 

Among those Judicial Watch said were targeted by Yovanovitch were Fox News figures Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, and Dan Bongino, as well as journalists Jack Posobiec and Sara Carter, and former Trump White House official Sebastian Gorka.

In its suit, Judicial Watch asked the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to order the State Department to produce the requested records or explain why they are exempted from disclosure, including:

 

All records of communication between the Department of State and any representative of the Ukrainian government regarding any actual or proposed investigation or prosecution of the AntAC; the International Renaissance Foundation [Open Society Foundations’ office in Ukraine]; or Transparency International.

All records concerning any meeting or telephonic conversation between Yovanovitch and Lutsenko.

 

All records related to the list of individuals and entities provided to Lutsenko by Yovanovitch in late 2016.

 

Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said in a statement announcing the suit that “reports suggest that the Ukrainian Embassy was a hotbed of anti-Trump, Deep State activism and tried to promote and protect leftist allies in Ukraine and the United States.

 

“As the coup attack on President Trump continues, this new federal lawsuit is designed to get to the real truth of the Deep State’s games in Ukraine.”

Contact Mark Tapscott at Mark.Tapscott@epochtimes.nyc

 

Was the list released by Trump's State Department or DOJ at that time?  I would be interested in looking at it.

 

GO RV, then BV

[Markinsa]

1 minute ago, Shabibilicious said:

Was the list released by Trump's State Department or DOJ at that time? 

 

 I think we all would.  I think Lutsenko provided the list to Rudy Giuliani, I'm sure the Justice Department has that now.  Like they're going to do anything with it.

 

.

[Markinsa]

[MyLadiesDaddy]

1 hour ago, Shabibilicious said:

 

Was the list released by Trump's State Department or DOJ at that time?  I would be interested in looking at it.

 

GO RV, then BV

Trump never had control of any government departments fully. The pigs that feed off of the pig slop,  aka deep state, control everything. But that's how you like it, right?

[coorslite21]

Per usual.....the MSM has spewed some more falsehoods......at least they are predictable.....    CL

 

May 01, 2021 - 10:22 PM EDT

New York Times, WaPo, NBC retract reports about Giuliani's contact with FBI

  BY JORDAN WILLIAMS TWEET SHARE EMAIL

 

The New York Times, The Washington Post and NBC News walked back their reporting about the FBI's communication with President Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani regarding Russia. 

 

The Washington Post was the first to report on Thursday that Giuliani was warned that he was the target of a Russian influence campaign last year. The newspaper, citing people familiar with the matter, also reported that One America News Network (OANN) was given a similar warning.

 

But the Post issued a correction on Saturday saying it had removed assertions that Giuliani and OANN had received such warnings.

"An earlier version of this story, published Thursday, incorrectly reported that One America News was warned by the FBI that it was the target of a Russian influence operation," the correction reads.

 

"That version also said the FBI had provided a similar warning to Rudolph W. Giuliani, which he has since disputed. This version has been corrected to remove assertions that OAN and Giuliani received the warnings," the paper said.

A spokesperson for the Post had no additional comment when reached by CNN.

 

The New York Times similarly reported on the FBI's contact with Giuliani.

 

The subject of the Times article was the FBI's investigation into Giuliani, and it stated that the firing of former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch was at the center of the probe. 

 

The Times had written that Giuliani had received a "formal warning" from the FBI about Russian disinformation.

 

The newspaper ran a correction on Saturday saying Giuliani had not received a "so-called defensive briefing."

 

"An earlier version of this article misstated whether Rudolph W. Giuliani received a formal warning from the F.B.I. about Russian disinformation. Mr. Giuliani did not receive such a so-called defensive briefing," the newspaper said.

NBC, which also reported that Giuliani received a defensive briefing about the Russian influence operation in 2019, ran a correction Saturday afternoon saying the FBI only prepared a briefing.

 

The correction came after a source said the briefing wasn't given because of concerns that it could complicate the investigation into Giuliani. 

 

The Hill has reached out to the Post, the Times and NBC for comment.

 

This week, the FBI raided Giuliani's New York apartment and offices and seized electronic devices as part of an investigation into his dealings in Ukraine.

 

Giuliani told Tucker Carlson on Thursday that there was "no justification" for the raid and denied any wrongdoing. 

TWEET SHARE

[Markinsa]

24 minutes ago, coorslite21 said:

Per usual.....the MSM has spewed some more falsehoods......at least they are predictable.....    CL

 

I believe the Dan Bongino Rule is always wait 2 days for the retraction before getting excited about a Fake News Media Breaking News Report.

 

.

[CSM (R) Thack]

9 hours ago, Markinsa said:

 

I believe the Dan Bongino Rule is always wait 2 days for the retraction before getting excited about a Fake News Media Breaking News Report.

 

.

That’s his rule...give it a couple days!!!👍🇺🇸

[md11fr8dawg]

10 hours ago, coorslite21 said:

New York Times, WaPo, NBC retract reports about Giuliani's contact with FBI

DAMN IT CL, your picking on Shab's believable lying news sources again!!!🤣

[Shabibilicious]

On 4/30/2021 at 4:21 PM, ladyGrace'sDaddy said:

Trump never had control of any government departments fully. The pigs that feed off of the pig slop,  aka deep state, control everything. But that's how you like it, right?

 

Sounds like you believe One Man should control everything, as opposed to the Founder's wishes.  As always, just my opinion.

 

GO RV, then BV

[Shabibilicious]

11 minutes ago, md11fr8dawg said:

DAMN IT CL, your picking on Shab's believable lying news sources again!!!🤣

 

Ahh....but those sources came clean, fr8dawg....something Alt-Right news sources know nothing about.  

 

GO RV, then BV

[Shabibilicious]

Former members of Trump's inner circle are living in fear after Rudy Giuliani raid, report says

 

 

Sophia Ankel

Sun, May 2, 2021, 6:30 AM

 

 

 

President Donald Trump's lawyer and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani wipes sweat away after an interview with One America News Network's Chanel Rion outside the White House West Wing in Washington, DC, on July 1, 2020. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

• The Rudy Giuliani raid has Trump allies feeling uneasy about what could come next, CNN reported.

• A former Trump advisor said the raid is proof that officials are willing to pursue his inner circle.

• Several Trump allies also said it "wouldn't shock" them if Giuliani turned on the former president.

Related: Rudy Giuliani mocked after warning of misinformation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scroll back up to restore default view.

Trump allies are growing increasingly concerned about the future after former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani's office and apartment were raided by federal agents this week, according to CNN.

On Wednesday, Giuliani, who acted as Trump's former attorney, was the target of two raids in which investigators seized several of his electronic devices as well as a computer belonging to his personal assistant. The searches were in connection to a criminal probe into Giuliani's dealings in Ukraine, The New York Times reported.

Trump's allies and former members of his inner circle are now reportedly becoming increasingly worried about further raids and upcoming FBI investigations.

 

"This was a show of force that sent a strong message to a lot of people in Trump's world that other things may be coming down the pipeline," an advisor to the former president, who wished to stay anonymous, told CNN. 

The advisor also described the Giuliani raid as "overkill" and said the raid was a worrying sign that investigators were more willing to pursue investigations than previously thought.

"I can't for the life of me think why you would need to send seven FBI agents to go and collect a cellphone and laptop," the advisor said.

Two other people close to Trump echoed these sentiments, according to CNN, but declined to be quoted. 

The former New York City mayor has not been charged and denied any wrongdoing. His attorney said in a statement this week that it was a "corrupt double standard" that feds didn't execute a search warrant against Hunter Biden as well.

"Republicans who are prominent supporters and defenders of President Trump ... are subjected to false charges and procedures used in the past, if at all, in cases involving terrorists and organized criminals," the statement said.

Some people, including ex-Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, have since come out to predict that Giuliani will turn against Trump if prosecutors tightened the screws on him.

Another person who is close to the former president said that this outcome "wouldn't shock" them at all.

"Even the most loyal people have their breaking point," the person said, according to CNN. "I think we've seen some more surprising instances of things like that happening, especially with Michael Cohen."

Cohen is serving a three-year prison sentence under house arrest after pleading guilty to multiple counts of campaign finance violations and tax evasion. He also pled guilty to lying to Congress as part of Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 US election.

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/former-members-trumps-inner-circle-103040838.html

 

GO RV, then BV

[coorslite21]

1 hour ago, Shabibilicious said:

 

Ahh....but those sources came clean, fr8dawg....something Alt-Right news sources know nothing about.  

 

GO RV, then BV

 

No need for retractions if/when.... you get it right.....    CL

[Shabibilicious]

A vision of truth and confidence.

 

 

GO RV, then BV

[coorslite21]

34 minutes ago, Shabibilicious said:

Former members of Trump's inner circle are living in fear after Rudy Giuliani raid, report says

 

 

Sophia Ankel

Sun, May 2, 2021, 6:30 AM

 

 

 

President Donald Trump's lawyer and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani wipes sweat away after an interview with One America News Network's Chanel Rion outside the White House West Wing in Washington, DC, on July 1, 2020. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

• The Rudy Giuliani raid has Trump allies feeling uneasy about what could come next, CNN reported.

• A former Trump advisor said the raid is proof that officials are willing to pursue his inner circle.

• Several Trump allies also said it "wouldn't shock" them if Giuliani turned on the former president.

Related: Rudy Giuliani mocked after warning of misinformation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scroll back up to restore default view.

Trump allies are growing increasingly concerned about the future after former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani's office and apartment were raided by federal agents this week, according to CNN.

On Wednesday, Giuliani, who acted as Trump's former attorney, was the target of two raids in which investigators seized several of his electronic devices as well as a computer belonging to his personal assistant. The searches were in connection to a criminal probe into Giuliani's dealings in Ukraine, The New York Times reported.

Trump's allies and former members of his inner circle are now reportedly becoming increasingly worried about further raids and upcoming FBI investigations.

 

"This was a show of force that sent a strong message to a lot of people in Trump's world that other things may be coming down the pipeline," an advisor to the former president, who wished to stay anonymous, told CNN. 

The advisor also described the Giuliani raid as "overkill" and said the raid was a worrying sign that investigators were more willing to pursue investigations than previously thought.

"I can't for the life of me think why you would need to send seven FBI agents to go and collect a cellphone and laptop," the advisor said.

Two other people close to Trump echoed these sentiments, according to CNN, but declined to be quoted. 

The former New York City mayor has not been charged and denied any wrongdoing. His attorney said in a statement this week that it was a "corrupt double standard" that feds didn't execute a search warrant against Hunter Biden as well.

"Republicans who are prominent supporters and defenders of President Trump ... are subjected to false charges and procedures used in the past, if at all, in cases involving terrorists and organized criminals," the statement said.

Some people, including ex-Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, have since come out to predict that Giuliani will turn against Trump if prosecutors tightened the screws on him.

Another person who is close to the former president said that this outcome "wouldn't shock" them at all.

"Even the most loyal people have their breaking point," the person said, according to CNN. "I think we've seen some more surprising instances of things like that happening, especially with Michael Cohen."

Cohen is serving a three-year prison sentence under house arrest after pleading guilty to multiple counts of campaign finance violations and tax evasion. He also pled guilty to lying to Congress as part of Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 US election.

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/former-members-trumps-inner-circle-103040838.html

 

GO RV, then BV

 

Again....."The Report Says"

And where is the.......who, what, where, and when....?

 

But think about it.....if you had a rogue Gestapo like agency like the CIA and FBI going after you.....and you know they will break the laws....and have broken laws while obtaining FISA warrants using false evidence to make your life a living hell......wouldn't you be a little concerned?

CL

[Markinsa]

16 minutes ago, coorslite21 said:

 

Again....."The Report Says"

And where is the.......who, what, where, and when....?

 

But think about it.....if you had a rogue Gestapo like agency like the CIA and FBI going after you.....and you know they will break the laws....and have broken laws while obtaining FISA warrants using false evidence to make your life a living hell......wouldn't you be a little concerned?

CL

 

Of course not, the way he posts, makes one think he's part of the gestapo public relations branch.

 

.

[Shabibilicious]

2 minutes ago, Markinsa said:

 

Of course not, the way he posts, makes one think he's part of the gestapo public relations branch.

 

 

Again with the personal insults, why?....for what reason?  What is the point of lashing out on a personal level?  

 

GO RV, then BV

[Markinsa]

12 minutes ago, Shabibilicious said:

 

Again with the personal insults, why?....for what reason?  What is the point of lashing out on a personal level?  

 

GO RV, then BV

 

There's nothing personal about it, just an observation and an opinion. I wouldn't know you if you passed by me on the street, but I would know you by your actions, and they speak pretty loud in here.

 

.

[Shabibilicious]

7 minutes ago, Markinsa said:

 

There's nothing personal about it, just an observation and an opinion. I wouldn't know you if you passed by me on the street, but I would know you by your actions, and they speak pretty loud in here.

 

 

I feel the same way when people say they work hard every day to follow the teachings of Christ, yet seem to never change how they treat others with differing political points of view....So in effect to are correct, actions do speak pretty loudly.  As always, just my opinion, observation.

 

GO RV, then BV

[Markinsa]

8 minutes ago, Shabibilicious said:

 

I feel the same way when people say they work hard every day to follow the teachings of Christ, yet seem to never change how they treat others with differing political points of view....So in effect to are correct, actions do speak pretty loudly.  As always, just my opinion, observation.

 

GO RV, then BV

 

When those points are view are evil you bet I'm going to point them out and criticize against it.  I am a follower of Christ, and I am not ashamed to say that.  

 

[Rom 1:18-23 NASB20] 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible [attributes, that is,] His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and they exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible mankind, of birds, four-footed animals, and crawling creatures.

 

.

[Markinsa]

@Shabibilicious 

 

1 Corinthians 2:14 (NLT)

14 But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.

[Markinsa]

@Shabibilicious

 

In other words, you are lost and are unable to perceive truth.

 

.

[Shabibilicious]

Just now, Markinsa said:

@Shabibilicious

 

In other words, you are lost and are unable to perceive truth.

 

.

 

Nah....my confusion stems from someone slapping down scripture on me as being righteous, while simultaneously supporting DJT, the warp speed mastermind behind what you consider "killer" vaccines....as gleaned from your multiple threads on the subject.  So yeah, I guess I am the lost one.  

 

GO RV, then BV 

[Markinsa]

Just now, Shabibilicious said:

 

Nah....my confusion stems from someone slapping down scripture on me as being righteous, while simultaneously supporting DJT, the warp speed mastermind behind what you consider "killer" vaccines....as gleaned from your multiple threads on the subject.  So yeah, I guess I am the lost one.  

 

GO RV, then BV 

 

You're the one without God.  Not my fault if that is your choice.  Argue against scripture all your want, its God's word not mine.

 

.

[Shabibilicious]

Rudy Giuliani raids signal accountability is coming for the Donald Trump era: Norman Eisen

Norman Eisen

Mon, May 3, 2021, 3:15 AM

 

Former President Donald Trump and his cronies should beware. The search warrants executed against Trump’s former personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, mark a leap forward in the Department of Justice’s look into the past four years of potential illegalities. It signals turbulent waters ahead for Giuliani and his former client alike.

These warrants are not easy to get. You need to convince a judge there is probable cause of wrongdoing. The warrant must also pass tough review at the highest levels of the DOJ. That these warrants survived this double scrutiny is itself a sign of serious trouble for the former New York mayor. It is particularly unusual for prosecutors to execute a warrant against a lawyer (the most recent notable example is someone else who served as Trump’s lawyer, Michael Cohen). That's further indication of the depths of Giuliani’s jeopardy.

Evidence against Giuliani and Trump

 

From what is public so far, including an acknowledgment from Giuliani himself, federal investigators are looking into whether he violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act by acting as an unregistered foreign agent for his Ukrainian “sources.” The evidence I helped present as counsel in the first Trump impeachment showed Giuliani was advancing the agenda of those in Ukraine trying to oust U.S. Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch — a staunch corruption fighter who was eventually pushed out.

In recent years, FARA has been more strongly enforced in the aftermath of the cases against former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn. The Giuliani investigation is accelerating now that Trump and his DOJ allies are out of office. It would be unusual to conduct raids of this kind if prosecutors were not considering charging Giuliani under FARA.

Does his potential exposure stop there? In the past week, I have often been asked whether FARA could really be all the government was looking at. The truth is, making predictions about what else Giuliani could be charged with is difficult to do at this stage. Even the prosecutors themselves may still be contending with that question.

 

President Trump and Rudy Giuliani on Aug. 14, 2020, in Bedminster, New Jersey.

That said, as they await review of the seized evidence by a special, independent DOJ group screening for privileged material, investigators are likely on the lookout for other potential charges. For instance, Giuliani could have exposure to criminal conspiracy charges. Alleged criminal conduct regarding Ukraine by his client, Trump, in violation of federal bribery and other statutes, was laid out in detail in the first impeachment. There is evidence that Trump engaged in a shakedown of Ukraine, withholding hundreds of millions of dollars in desperately needed military aid to get Ukrainian officials to attack Joe Biden, who was then running for the Democratic presidential nomination.

 

If the elements of bribery or other crimes can be established, then Giuliani could also have potential exposure as a co-conspirator under the federal conspiracy statute. It creates an offense if "two or more persons conspire either to commit any offense against the United States, or to defraud the United States, or any agency thereof in any manner or for any purpose.” To the extent that Giuliani was a part of the alleged scheme — and the public evidence seems to suggest a unity of purpose with his client — he’s at risk.

Indeed, in a September 2019 CNN interview, Giuliani initially denied that he had requested that Ukraine investigate Joe Biden, then conceded only moments later that he had indeed done so.

Red flag for Trump and associates

But the impeachment record and admissions on cable television will only get prosecutors so far. The raids of Giuliani's home and office last week could produce additional direct, contemporaneous evidence tying him directly to Trump’s alleged shakedown of Ukraine. Texts, calls, notes or other evidence might very well be on the devices that were seized. Normally, the two men’s communications would be privileged as part of the attorney-client relationship. But under the crime-fraud exception, if Giuliani was part of the former president’s alleged crimes, attorney-client privilege would not shield his communications relating to this misconduct.

We shouldn’t overstate the case for additional charges beyond FARA. A conspiracy charge is hardly a sure thing on the evidence that has been made public. Nonetheless, that or other charges could lurk in the background of these raids, and the materials seized might help the government get there. Even if it does not, the possible case around criminally violating FARA is serious on its own. While Giuliani is no Al Capone, it's worth remembering that the gangster was convicted not for racketeering, but for failure to file government forms (in his case, tax returns).

 

This all has profound implications not only for Giuliani but also for the president he served. If there is damning evidence recovered through the warrants, it could implicate Trump directly on Ukraine-related misconduct. Alternatively, the evidence could strengthen the case against Giuliani to the point where he “flips,” turning on Trump and testifying against him in this matter or others.

And quite apart from the Giuliani case, the raids signal that DOJ is going to pursue wrongdoers irrespective of political considerations. Because of the broad range of potential misconduct by Trump, both as president and before he took office, that should send a shiver down his spine as well.

Whatever the ultimate outcome in the Giuliani case, one thing is clear: This is all a red flag for Trump and anyone else who followed his lead in playing fast and loose with the law. Accountability is coming.

 

https://news.yahoo.com/rudy-giuliani-raids-signal-accountability-071505561.html

 

GO RV, then BV