Mueller Now Investigating Democratic Lobbyist Tony Podesta

[DonViejo]

Source: NBC News




EXCLUSIVE

NEWS

OCT 23 2017, 4:32 AM ET

by TOM WINTER and JULIA AINSLEY

WASHINGTON — Tony Podesta and the Podesta Group are now the subjects of a federal investigation being led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, three sources with knowledge of the matter told NBC News.

The probe of Podesta and his Democratic-leaning lobbying firm grew out of Mueller's inquiry into the finances of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, according to the sources. As special counsel, Mueller has been tasked with investigating possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Manafort had organized a public relations campaign for a non-profit called the European Centre for a Modern Ukraine (ECMU). Podesta's company was one of many firms that worked on the campaign, which promoted Ukraine's image in the West.

The sources said the investigation into Podesta and his company began as more of a fact-finding mission about the ECMU and Manafort's role in the campaign, but has now morphed into a criminal inquiry into whether the firm violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act, known as FARA.



Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/mueller-now-investigating-democratic-lobbyist-tony-podesta-n812776

[Initech]

1. The deplorables are going to have a field day with this.

But we all know they probably won't actually read the article anyways.

[tymorial]

2. They only read headlines and still they fail to grasp

The meaning of the articles. LOL

See what I did there? 😂

[Initech]

3. True! I look forward to the forthcoming Alex Jones meltdown.

[GreenEyedLefty]

4. But isn't everything put out by the mainstream media "fake news"?

[groundloop]

6. It's only fake if 45* doesn't like it.

[underthematrix]

5. Well

I want Mueller to follow ALL the evidence

[Freethinker65]

7. Podestas emails were hacked and used

Last edited Mon Oct 23, 2017, 01:08 PM - Edit history (1)

Roger Stone predicted Podesta’s “time in the barrel” before they were released. Finding out about this is part of the puzzle.


*******THIS POST IS NOT CORRECT. I am leaving it here because I was corrected by several DU members. Tony Podesta is John’s brother.
Thanks to all.

[onenote]

10. I thought it was his brother John's emails that were hacked and released.

[Freethinker65]

13. My mistake. Thanks for correcting me

I suppose I could just delete my original post, but Ihave no problem admitting I was wrong. Thanks again

[SunSeeker]

11. This is not about John Podesta's emails; it's about Manafort's FARA violations.

As the article says, the FBI is investigating 6 different PR firms, including this one run by Tony Podesta (not Clinton campaign manager John Podesta) that Manafort used as part of his undisclosed (in violation of FARA) lobbying/PR campaign for a pro-Russia Ukrainian political party.

Further, Tony Podesta's firm says it has complied with regulations:

Tony Podesta is the chairman of the Podesta Group and the brother of John Podesta, Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign chairman. John Podesta is not currently affiliated with the Podesta Group and is not part of Mueller's investigation.

In a statement, a spokesman for the Podesta Group said the firm "is cooperating fully with the Special Counsel's office and has taken every possible step to provide documentation that confirms timely compliance. In all of our client engagements, the Podesta Group conducts due diligence and consults with appropriate legal experts to ensure compliance with disclosure regulations at all times — and we did so in this case."

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/mueller-now-investigating-democratic-lobbyist-tony-podesta-n812776

[Freethinker65]

14. I was wrong. Thanks for the correction.

[4139]

8. Glass half full or half empty?

A. Could be Mueller is going to prosecute every little thing 😀... FARA is little
Or
B. He doesn’t have much and scrambling to find someone prosecute, anyone, even a FARA violation 😐

[SunSeeker]

12. FARA is not "little," especially when committed by a presidential campaign manager. It's a felony.

Mueller is not "scrambling to find someone to prosecute." This is about Manafort. As the article says, the FBI is investigating 6 different PR firms, including this one, that Manafort used as part of his undisclosed (in violation of FARA) lobbying/PR campaign for a pro-Russia Ukrainian political party. 

[4139]

16. Mueller investigating manfarts 2012-2013 Ukraine PR work

It may be tied to Russia but not 2016 election... at least not yet

[SunSeeker]

17. Yes, but Manafort was a presidential campaign manager.

Having someone in that capacity who has committed FARA violations involving our adversary, Russia, is a serious matter for our country. Whether he did it before or during the campaign, it establishes intent. And it bolsters the case that the Trump campaign conspired with Russia.

[FakeNoose]

15. I think this means Mueller is casting a very wide net

... and hopefully, missing nothing. When Mueller finally does present his case and his evidence, it has to be rock solid.

[rockfordfile]

19. Yes it's good casting a wide net. But be careful about Mueller. The same for Kelly

For some reason some people put these artificial "auras" on guys that are usually full of it.

[Bradical79]

18. I consider it good news

It tells me Mueller will leave no stone unturned.

[SunSeeker]

9. This involves Tony Podesta, NOT Clinton campaign manager John Podesta.

Tony Podesta is the chairman of the Podesta Group and the brother of John Podesta, Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign chairman. John Podesta is not currently affiliated with the Podesta Group and is not part of Mueller's investigation.

And, the firm says it is fully cooperating with the FBI and that it was in compliance with regulations at all times:

In a statement, a spokesman for the Podesta Group said the firm "is cooperating fully with the Special Counsel's office and has taken every possible step to provide documentation that confirms timely compliance. In all of our client engagements, the Podesta Group conducts due diligence and consults with appropriate legal experts to ensure compliance with disclosure regulations at all times — and we did so in this case."

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/mueller-now-investigating-democratic-lobbyist-tony-podesta-n812776