Alleged payment to porn star was illegal donation to Trump campaign, watchdog says

[DonViejo]

Source: Politico




The call from Common Cause for criminal prosecution echoes charges against John Edwards.

By JOSH GERSTEIN 01/22/2018 02:50 PM EST Updated 01/22/2018 03:40 PM EST

A watchdog group filed a pair of complaints on Monday alleging that a $130,000 payment reportedly made to a pornographic film actress who claims to have had an affair with Donald Trump violated campaign finance laws.

In submissions to the Justice Department and the Federal Election Commission, Common Cause said the alleged payment to Stephanie Clifford — who uses the stage name Stormy Daniels — amounted to an in-kind donation to Trump's presidential campaign that should have been publicly disclosed in its official reports.

An attorney for Common Cause, Paul Ryan, said the payment appeared to be hush money. He compared the situation to the series of events that resulted in the prosecution of former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) over nearly $1 million in payments allegedly made to cover up an affair he had with videographer Rielle Hunter during his 2008 presidential bid.

“The purpose is the heart of all this,” Ryan said. “It’s pretty obvious this payment to Ms. Clifford was intended to keep her quiet just weeks before the election so she would not damage the candidate’s effort to win the election.”

Read more: https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/22/stormy-daniels-trump-payment-illegal-donation-357250

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. But Edwards was acquitted on one count

and the court declared a mistrial on the others because the jury was deadlocked. It would be nice if there was better evidence on Trump.

[unc70]

15. Witness against Edwards had scammed everyone

Including most everyone at DU. Andrew Young, the Edwards aide, had scammed Bunny Mellon for most of the money in question and used it to build his dream house near Chapel Hill. Young was also the ultimate source for nearly all the most inflammatory details regarding JE’s affair and related things. Most were proven not true at the trial.

Young was given blanket immunity by Frderal prosecutors and got to keep all the money, plus monies from the book deal and a movie contract. The prosecutors tried every trick trying to trap Edwards in perjury, but failed. The lead prosecutor was then elected to Congress from eastern NC.

[7962]

16. But Edwards did pay the girlfriend & try to keep it out of the news. hows that in dispute?

And as much a scumbag he may be, I dont see how this would be illegal unless there was blackmail involved. Edwards or trump. In either case, the only one who would seem to have the upper hand on blackmail would be both women.

Also seems Edwards could sue Young for the money involved or at least make him pay a ton defending himself.

[unc70]

17. Indictment claimed campaign funds used to support Huntet

None of that was true. Most of the claims of how much money was spent on Hunter were also exaggerated. As far as I can tell, nothing Edwards did was illegal. Stupid, yes.

[Fiendish Thingy]

18. I think if campaign funds were used it would be illegal nt

[Kingofalldems]

20. Nope. Not this time.

Did Edwards set up a fake LLC in Delaware?

[7962]

24. Just doesnt seem to make any sense regardless

He gave the woman money, nothing was given to his campaign. From the article, this isn't anything like Edwards deal. Seems like a waste of time.
But her story isn't a secret anymore either!!

[Hassin Bin Sober]

2. I'm sure Jeff Sessions will get right on it

Does anyone know what state the Sham LLC was incorporated in? The feds are never going to do anything about this. I would think a state attorney general might want to look into a sham Corporation.

Either way Mueller should ask him questions about it. And his lawyer

[lagomorph777]

5. I think I heard Delaware?

[Gregory Peccary]

6. The state where the Sham LLC was incorporated in is............

Delaware

[Hortensis]

7. The state is known, I've forgotten which. What is the basis for

thinking no agency in the federal government would do anything about this? Seriously. Even the FEC could be forced to act. Our amazing founding fathers wrote protection for the fourth estate into our constitution for a reason.

And, of course, Mueller is federal. I really think the only intelligent assumptions we can be making are that anything we "know" Mueller and his A-team (of top prosecutors right out of the worst nightmares of major criminals) knew first, perhaps many months ago, and that they know a great deal more that we do not.

And, from what I've read, a bunch of the media breaks are fed to them by the investigation leaking mostly through ex-pros no longer with the government but still knowing just how to do it The pubs must be terrified by now about what's likely to be in Mueller's return fire each time they launch a new attack on the investigation. But what can they do, just roll?

[Hassin Bin Sober]

12. My understanding of the FEC is that they are really good at sending strongly-worded letters

I'm all for the justice department going after him but I doubt they will.

Our only hope is the special prosecutor. At the very least it would be fun to have him or his attorney tell lies to the grand jury

[Hortensis]

13. Yes, that is what I mean about being forced. :)

It's designed for gridlock, of course, but a desire for political survival is something all 6 probably have in common.

[jberryhill]

8. A state prosecutor cannot pursue a federal campaign finance charge

And I don't see what is a "sham" about the LLC.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

9. You would know better than I

But I find it hard to believe there's no law on the books regarding setting up a corporation for the sole purpose of

a. Violating federal law and b. paying bribe money

Can the state stick their beak in a state transaction meant to violate federal law?

[jberryhill]

25. Okay, so...

On point (a) "setting up a corporation for the sole purpose of violating federal law", then you want to include every marijuana dispensary?

On point (b), which you broadly define as "paying bribe money", people are paid to do things and not to say things every day. "Bribery" is paying a public official to engage or not engage in doing something within the scope of their duties.

[UpInArms]

11. Delaware

Because they do not have to disclose the interested parties

[JI7]

21. I think delaware

[Dave Starsky]

3. Ah, John Edwards.

That's a name I haven't heard in a long time. A long time.

Had a love baby with his mistress. No longer qualified to run for President.

The shitgibbon currently in office makes John Edwards look like a Mormon Eagle Scout.

[Ferrets are Cool]

14. Bravo for saying this.

[PatrickforO]

23. Indeed. Edwards was a populist candidate.

Bad decision on his part, though - bad karma. But, yeah, compared to Cheetoh...

...Cheetoh - I don't even know what to say about that shit heap. He's just COVERED in shit. It's all over his whole administration.

[vkkv]

4. YES!! Of course !

Hopefully something will happen.. Sessions? I have to assume that the FBI can and do work without the AG's knowledge.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

10. "An attorney for Common Cause, Paul Ryan" ...

... I bet he's heard a few "name" jokes.

[lindysalsagal]

19. Can someone splain this to me? Who gave the 130k?

No lawyer words, please. Did they pay her with campaign funds?

[PatrickforO]

22. LOL. Trump has been TEFLON up until recently, but you know

pretty soon, stuff is going to start STICKING.