Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Mrs. Overall

(6,839 posts)
Mon Jul 23, 2018, 03:11 PM Jul 2018

REVEALED: Identities Of 5 Witnesses Immunized To Testify Against Manafort

Source: Talking Points Memo

A federal judge Monday unsealed the names of five witnesses granted immunity by special counsel Robert Mueller to testify at the upcoming trial of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort.

The witnesses, who Mueller’s team had sought to keep from public view until they were called to testify, are

James Brennan
Donna Duggan
Conor O’Brien
Cindy Laporta
Dennis Raico

The unsealed court documents do not provide details about what the witnesses may be expected to testify about. None of the newly revealed witnesses have figured prominently in the case or the coverage of the case to this point.

Two possible prominent witnesses in the case – Washington lobbyists Tony Podesta and Vin Weber, whose firms allegedly participated with Manafort in a PR campaign campaign for Ukraine without registering a foreign agents – did not appear among the list of five immunized witnesses. Typically under immunity deals such as this one, the witness will provide relevant testimony with the agreement that it will not be used to prosecute them.

Manafort faces charges of tax fraud and bank fraud related to his decade-plus of consulting work for pro-Russian political forces in Ukraine. He has pleaded not guilty. He faces trial on similar charges in DC later this year.

Read more: https://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/identities-of-5-witnesses-immunized-to-testify-against-manafort-revealed

23 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
REVEALED: Identities Of 5 Witnesses Immunized To Testify Against Manafort (Original Post) Mrs. Overall Jul 2018 OP
So who are these people? Mr.Bill Jul 2018 #1
Just read that this first Manafort trial is primarily about taxes, so these witnesses Mrs. Overall Jul 2018 #5
who are these people? one I found.......Maybe 2....Maybe 3 mrmpa Jul 2018 #2
Thanks. Interesting that people in these positions Mr.Bill Jul 2018 #6
The banker is....... mrmpa Jul 2018 #11
I heard something about this on MSNBC (I think) the other day. They need immunity chowder66 Jul 2018 #13
That would make sense. Mr.Bill Jul 2018 #14
If you think all these people need immunity even though they did nothing wrong you may be... PoliticAverse Jul 2018 #15
Huh? chowder66 Jul 2018 #16
That wasn't directed necessarily at you but at any one "you" that thinks that. n/t PoliticAverse Jul 2018 #18
I should have added the word "may" ...They 'may' need immunity... chowder66 Jul 2018 #20
Vin Weber................... turbinetree Jul 2018 #19
John Brennan is on the list. True Blue American Jul 2018 #21
James Brennan Gore1FL Jul 2018 #22
Thanks. True Blue American Jul 2018 #23
I wonder what swear words Manafort used when he saw this list. MGKrebs Jul 2018 #3
At first read I saw Conan O'Brien DesertRat Jul 2018 #4
Me too! LOL Lisa0825 Jul 2018 #9
Makes sense. He seems to have access to all kinds of trump phone calls with Guy Whitey Corngood Jul 2018 #10
Ha! DesertRat Jul 2018 #17
Same! 7962 Jul 2018 #12
Pretty quiet.. Ellipsis Jul 2018 #7
DUzy!!!! BumRushDaShow Jul 2018 #8

Mr.Bill

(24,104 posts)
1. So who are these people?
Mon Jul 23, 2018, 03:24 PM
Jul 2018

Never heard of most of those. Maybe that just shows the depth of the investigation.

Mrs. Overall

(6,839 posts)
5. Just read that this first Manafort trial is primarily about taxes, so these witnesses
Mon Jul 23, 2018, 03:49 PM
Jul 2018

are most likely accountants or people connected to accounting/banking firms.

mrmpa

(4,033 posts)
2. who are these people? one I found.......Maybe 2....Maybe 3
Mon Jul 23, 2018, 03:24 PM
Jul 2018
Dennis Raico
Senior Vice President at The Federal Savings Bank
Location:
300 North Elizabeth Street, Chicago, Illinois, United States

Cindy Laporta

Shareholder at Kositzka, Wicks & Company/ an accounting firm
Alexandria, Virginia

Conor O'Brien

Director at The Crypsis Group/ A cyber security firm
Washington D.C. Metro Area

Mr.Bill

(24,104 posts)
6. Thanks. Interesting that people in these positions
Mon Jul 23, 2018, 03:53 PM
Jul 2018

would need immunity. This can't be good for their careers.

mrmpa

(4,033 posts)
11. The banker is.......
Mon Jul 23, 2018, 04:19 PM
Jul 2018

with the bank that supposedly gave Manafort a loan that just about exceeded the bank's assets. The president of that bank was also wanting a position in Trump's white house.

chowder66

(9,011 posts)
13. I heard something about this on MSNBC (I think) the other day. They need immunity
Mon Jul 23, 2018, 04:36 PM
Jul 2018

because they they could have been handling laundered money without knowing about it or dealing with files that pertain to a crime.
Sometimes these people are tax preparers, bankers, security specialists, etc.

Mr.Bill

(24,104 posts)
14. That would make sense.
Mon Jul 23, 2018, 04:43 PM
Jul 2018

But it would also make sense that they knew exactly what was going on, or at least should have. That's what I meant by damaging their careers.

PoliticAverse

(26,366 posts)
15. If you think all these people need immunity even though they did nothing wrong you may be...
Mon Jul 23, 2018, 04:45 PM
Jul 2018

their defense attorney (or their mother).

chowder66

(9,011 posts)
20. I should have added the word "may" ...They 'may' need immunity...
Mon Jul 23, 2018, 05:35 PM
Jul 2018

if they are tax preparers, etc. That's what the lawyer said when describing what "could" be the case and I failed to write that. Thanks for clarifying your response. And for my part, I had no idea if they did something wrong or not, it was just interesting to hear about possible reasons for needing immunity without having done anything in particular that amounted to criminal.

turbinetree

(24,632 posts)
19. Vin Weber...................
Mon Jul 23, 2018, 05:28 PM
Jul 2018
https://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2017/11/how-former-minnesota-congressman-vin-weber-could-figure-robert-mueller-s-tru


-snip-

The indictment makes the case that the Centre was a front for Manafort and Yanukovych, meaning that Weber and the other lobbyists were effectively acting as unregistered lobbyists for a foreign government — a felony offense, and one of the things Manafort himself is charged with.

True Blue American

(17,972 posts)
21. John Brennan is on the list.
Mon Jul 23, 2018, 06:50 PM
Jul 2018

I think that is what set Rand Paul and Trump off.

Clapper is laughing at them. Said it was just a Courtesy thing. He had not used his since he retired.

Saw a picture of Trump ranting about them on CBS. He is completely unglued. Ben his hair was in danger of falling down.

Gore1FL

(21,034 posts)
22. James Brennan
Tue Jul 24, 2018, 12:12 AM
Jul 2018

All five are supposed to be from financial institutions if you believe this tweet from Rachel Weiner of the Washington Post.




"Five witnesses given immunity in Manafort: Donna Duggan, James Brennan, Conor O'Brien, Cindy Laporta, Dennis Raico. All from financial institutions."

Guy Whitey Corngood

(26,483 posts)
10. Makes sense. He seems to have access to all kinds of trump phone calls with
Mon Jul 23, 2018, 04:18 PM
Jul 2018

Vladimir Putin, Obama, etc, etc.





Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»REVEALED: Identities Of 5...