Former FBI Agent Answers Questions about Comey's Firing and Evidence

[Blue_Roses]

Last edited Fri May 12, 2017, 06:46 AM - Edit history (1)

Just found this so not sure if it's been posted yet, but it's very helpful and reassuring to what many of us are
worried about.

_____________________________

5 Questions About James Comey’s Firing, Answered
A former FBI special agent weighs in.
By ASHA RANGAPPA May 11, 2017

President Donald Trump’s unexpected decision to fire FBI Director James Comey on Tuesday has put us in uncharted territory and prompted a flurry of questions. What does this mean for the FBI’s ongoing investigation that could implicate the administration? If Trump is determined to make the investigation disappear, could he? And, more simply, what happens next? Based on my experience as a former FBI agent who worked on counterintelligence matters, here’s some insight into the most common queries that have been raised in the wake of Tuesday’s surprise. Don’t worry; it’s mostly comforting.

What happens to Comey’s documents and to investigative files that have already been gathered? Can they be destroyed?

Remember that the FBI is a law enforcement agency. Not that Comey’s office is exactly a crime scene (yet), but the culture is one that places a high value on preserving information, not destroying it. Particularly in light of a letter from Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee requesting that all documents pertaining either to Comey’s firing or to the investigation into Russia’s election interference be preserved and put off-limits to White House officials and associates (as well as Attorney General Jeff Sessions, specifically), the FBI is under an affirmative duty to comply, and a failure to do so could be considered obstruction of justice. In general, any official documents that were in Comey’s office relating to the Russia investigation, such as memos regarding investigative steps or conclusions, approvals for decisions taken and communications with field offices would become part of the case file itself. Personal notes, emails and informal communications would likely be compartmentalized, classified if necessary, and remain in the custody of acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe.

much more here:

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/05/11/5-questions-about-james-comeys-firing-answered-215127

[TxDemChem]

1. Very good read

[pnwmom]

2. An alleged Russian hacker has been waiting extradition in Prague. Now what happens to Nikulin?

Nikulin says he was being accused by the US of doing the Russian hacking during the US election. The US and Russia are both trying to get him extradited. There was supposed to be an important hearing on May 11. On May 10, Comey got terminated. Just a coincidence?

The hearing has been rescheduled for May 30, after Russia failed to file all the required documents. Who will be in charge of the FBI on the 30th and will that person continue to fight for Nikulin's extradition here -- or allow him to be handed over to Russia?

http://www.newsweek.com/fbi-investigation-clinton-emails-russia-hack-607538

A Russian citizen accused of being a hacker by both Russia and the U.S. has claimed U.S. officials offered to cut him a deal if he admitted to interfering in the 2016 presidential election.

Yevgeniy Nikulin, 29, has found himself in the middle of an international dispute between Washington and Moscow, at the very center of which lies U.S. allegations that Russia sponsored a series of hacks targeting Democratic Party candidate and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in favor of Republican candidate and current President Donald Trump. On October 5, 2016, days before U.S. intelligence publicly accused Russia of endorsing an infiltration of Democratic Party officials' emails, Nikulin was arrested in Prague at the request of the U.S. on separate hacking charges. Now, Nikulin claims U.S. authorities tried to pin the email scandal on him.

SNIP

Nikulin was due in court Thursday, but the proceedings were interrupted when his defense lawyers indicated that their client had not received the proper Russian-language documents prior to appearing in court, the Associated Press reported. In an unusual move, the hearing was scheduled to be held in the confines of Prague's Pankrac prison over heightened security concerns. Proceedings were postponed to May 30, where he was due to appear again before Judge Jaroslav Pytloun

[Ligyron]

5. Isn't this the guy whose wife said he was guilty of the hack?

Think so. While a new director may not be able to shut down the investigation, I wonder if the AG could? The AG would also have access to any info or data the FBI had I believe and so could monitor the progress and tip off the people involved maybe?

[pnwmom]

7. Yes. And the US has to take positive action to get him extradited. If we don't, he'll go to Russia.

What do you think the odds are that the US will even go to the hearing on the 30th?

[lark]

3. Not comforting for the long run.

Once drumpf and his co-traitors in the repug party install someone who will kill this, and you know the president will NOT appoint someone who won't swear to him in blood that the investigation is ended, we are officially a banana republic. McCabe is a good guy, but drumpf will quickly put someone else in there because McCabe isn't a traitorous repug like they need to cover up their treachery. Unless there's an independent commission set up before the new director takes over, we are done as a country.

[Blue_Roses]

8. Did you read the whole article?

This thing is so big now and any attempt to shut it down will look obvious. Although, Trump doesn't think that far ahead...

[lark]

11. When all the people in power are complicit with collusion to steal the election

How does this turn out well? Justice is smack in the middle and part of the collusion, how will they prosecute, they 100% won't. If Coryn or Gowdy or any other Repug partisan is put in as head of FBI, they will just fire the officers and shred the information and voila, no case.


When the president alleges that he's illegally recorded his conversations with Comey, and nothing at all happens, when he admits he fired Comey due to the Russia investigation and repugs are totally OK, we have no hope. Where is the repug in power with any integrity, there are zero.

That's why I feel hopeless.

[Blue_Roses]

12. Okay,

first of all, you gotta stop the gloom and doom. I can understand how you might feel this way and believe me, some days I too want to give in to it. But, come on...we have to fight for our democracy.

[lark]

13. I would like to get over the doom and gloom, and do agree that we need to fight for our democracy.

I'm just looking for any sign of light. Do you know any reason to feel differently? I will be very pleasantly pleased and surprised if Repugs will allow Comey to testify in public, but doubt Ryan or McConnell will allow that.

#RESIST

[volstork]

4. Excellent article

It is reassuring that the rank and file of the agency are not taking the events of this week lying down.

[Blue_Roses]

9. Yes it is!

They're pissed!

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

6. K & R ....great news, good insight ....

and kinda reassuring.

[Blue_Roses]

10. Yes