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Judge T.S. Ellis in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia ruled that Special Counsel Robert Mueller was properly appointed by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein in May 2017 and has the authority to prosecute Manafort.
He also disclosed that a classified August 2017 memo written by Rosenstein authorized Mueller to investigate allegations that Manafort “committed a crime or crimes by colluding with Russian government officials with respect to the Russian government’s efforts to interfere with the 2016 election.”
Manafort’s argument for dismissing the case had in some ways mirrored criticism by Trump and his allies, who have sought to portray Mueller’s probe as a politically motivated “witch hunt” that was also legally out of bounds.
“This decision seems to take the wind out of those sails legally,” said Michael Zeldin, a former federal prosecutor.
originally posted by: Phage
a reply to: Kharron
Is it normal for federal judges to do a 180 like that?
There was no 180.
It's a demonstration that one's opinions can be separate from the execution of one's duties.
Imagine that.
originally posted by: Phage
a reply to: Kharron
Good point. But there really isn't any court of public opinion. Except at the ballot box.
He also disclosed that a classified August 2017 memo written by Rosenstein authorized Mueller to investigate allegations that Manafort “committed a crime or crimes by colluding with Russian government officials with respect to the Russian government’s efforts to interfere with the 2016 election.”
None of the charges relate to work he performed on the 2016 campaign.
The new court filings indicatethat prosecutors provided Manafort with copies of his past interviews to help him prepare for trial on charges including conspiracy, money laundering, and tax and bank fraud. Manafort has pleaded not guilty.
originally posted by: Phage
a reply to: Kharron
Good point. But there really isn't any court of public opinion. Except at the ballot box. And his opinion really didn't seem to have much to do with that.
Not looking good for Manafort. IMO.
He also disclosed that a classified August 2017 memo written by Rosenstein authorized Mueller to investigate allegations that Manafort “committed a crime or crimes by colluding with Russian government officials with respect to the Russian government’s efforts to interfere with the 2016 election.”