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Tag Archives: investigation

He doth protest too much, methinks…

29 Wednesday May 2019

Posted by Michael Bersin in social media

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Donald Trump, impeachment, investigation, Robert Mueller, Russia, social media, special counel, Treason, Twitter

Bad combover. Check. Too long red tie. Check. Orange spray tan. Check. Tiny hands. Check. Cluelessness. Check…

Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump
Nothing changes from the Mueller Report. There was insufficient evidence and therefore, in our Country, a person is innocent. The case is closed! Thank you.
10:37 AM – 29 May 2019

Not so fast.

Some of the responses:

Mueller statement is 180 degrees from the four-page statement that Bill Barr issued at the time he first saw the report.

Mueller pretty much gave Congress the letters “IMP–CH” and told them to start buying vowels

Sorry Con. Your BS does not play any longer. He said if he could have said you were innocent he would have. The only thing now protecting you is the con you pulled on America. Mueller was clear, you committed crimes.

Mueller basically just said you obstructed justice so much that he was unable to get enough evidence to charge you with conspiring with Russia, and that therefore Congress should impeach you for your crimes.

Mueller: “If we had confidence the President did not commit a crime we would have said so.”

Actually, homefry, Mueller said the only thing saving your ass is a policy that says he can’t indict a sitting president, and that it’s Congress’ job to find you guilty of the crimes you have committed through impeachment.

No innocent person says anything like this.

America deserves better than a criminal who worked with Russia to get “elected.” You should resign.

That’s not what he said boss. He said he wasn’t allowed to charge you for the crimes he believed you committed.

Must feel bad inside to know you only won because of Russian interference and Comey’s one bad decision. Not having the vote of the people.

Your fall will be one of the most satisfying thing to ever happen to this world.

The only question is if you are going to just be a one-term President or an impeached one.

“Россия” (Russia) – a variant of the Russian presidential flag.

Still up there

19 Sunday May 2019

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

billboard, Collusion, corruption, Donlad Trump, impeachment, investigation, New Mexico, obstruction, Roswell

Saturday, on a billboard along U.S. 70 outside Roswell, New Mexico:

Previously:

It’s not Peoria, Illinois (July 30, 2018)

My, oh my…

30 Tuesday Apr 2019

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

investigation, missouri, St. Louis County, St. Louis County Executive, Steve Stenger, U.S. Attorney

The press release from the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri:

Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney’s Office
Eastern District of Missouri

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, April 29, 2019

St. Louis County Executive Indicted for Pay to Play Scheme

St. Louis, MO – Steven V. Stenger, of Clayton, was indicted last Thursday on three counts of honest services bribery/mail fraud.
The Indictment alleges that beginning in October 2014 and continuing through December 31, 2018, Stenger and various individuals and companies schemed to defraud and deprive the citizens of St. Louis County of their right to his honest and faithful services, and the honest and faithful services of the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership’s Chief Executive Officer, through bribery and the concealment of material information. The purpose of the scheme was for Stenger to secretly use his official position to enrich himself through soliciting and accepting campaign contributions from individuals and their companies in exchange for favorable official action, and for individuals and their companies to enrich themselves and their companies by secretly obtaining favorable action for themselves and for their companies, through corrupt means.
Specifically, the Indictment alleges that Stenger, in exchange for campaign donations and several fundraising events, took official action to insure that John Rallo and his company, Cardinal Insurance, obtained insurance contracts through St. Louis County during 2015 and 2016. Further, the Indictment alleges that Stenger took official action to insure that John Rallo and his company, Cardinal Creative Consulting, obtained a 2016 consulting contract through the St. Louis County Port Authority. Additionally, Stenger took official action to insure that John Rallo and his company, Wellston Holdings, LLC, obtained options to purchase two properties in Wellston, Missouri which were held by the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority of St. Louis County during 2016 and 2017. The Indictment also alleges that Stenger, in exchange for campaign donations and fundraising activities, took official action to insure that “Company One,” as set forth in the Indictment, obtained a 2019 – 2021 state lobbying contract from the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership. The Indictment alleges that Stenger took steps to hide, conceal and cover up his illegal conduct and actions, including making false public statements.
Stenger is scheduled to appear at 1:00 p.m. for his initial appearance and arraignment on his Indictment before U.S. Magistrate Noelle Collins, Courtroom 15 North, Thomas F. Eagleton Courthouse, 111 S. 10th Street, St. Louis, Missouri.
If convicted, each charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Restitution is also mandatory. In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Postal Inspection Service with the assistance of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Are the [n] degrees of separation next?

Previously:

And there goes the investment… (April 29, 2019)

Fascist

17 Sunday Feb 2019

Posted by Michael Bersin in social media

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

corruption, Donald Trump, Fascist, investigation, It's Mueller Time, kakistocracy, social media, special counsel, Twitter

Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump
THE RIGGED AND CORRUPT MEDIA IS THE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE!
6:56 AM – 17 Feb 2019

“O Fortuna, velut luna statu variabilis…”

07 Thursday Feb 2019

Posted by Michael Bersin in social media

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

chutzpah, Donald Trump, impeachment, investigation, karma, social media Twitter

Pass the popcorn.

Karma.

This morning, via Twitter:

Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump
PRESIDENTIAL HARASSMENT! It should never be allowed to happen again!
6:37 AM – 7 Feb 2019

“Wafna, wafna!
quid fecisti sors turpassi
Nostre vite gaudia
abstulisti omnia!”

Bad combover. Check. Too long red tie. Check. Orange spray tan. Check. Tiny hands. Check. Cluelessness. Check…

Subornation of perjury – 18 U.S. Code § 1622

18 Friday Jan 2019

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Donald Trump, impeachment, investigation, It's Mueller Time, Rule of Law, Subornation of perjury

“Россия” (Russia) – a variant of the Russian presidential flag.

There are reports in the news that Donald Trump (r) instructed Michael Cohen to lie to Congress under oath about Trump’s business dealings in Russia.

Charles P. Pierce @CharlesPPierce
Here’s the real truth behind the Buzzfeed story.

Mueller knows everything.
7:00 AM – 18 Jan 2019

Rule of law. Right?

18 U.S. Code § 1622 – Subornation of perjury

Whoever procures another to commit any perjury is guilty of subornation of perjury, and shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

Bad combover. Check. Too long red tie. Check. Orange spray tan. Check. Tiny hands. Check. Cluelessness. Check…

There you have it.

Josh Hawley (r): Liar

24 Monday Dec 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in Josh Hawley, US Senate

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Attorney General, investigation, Josh Hawley, liar, missouri, U.S.Senate

Use your words.

Josh Hawley (r) [2016 file photo].

Via Twitter:

Steve Vockrodt @st_vockrodt
ICYMI: Nov. 2 Josh Hawley told a TV reporter that a KC Star story about how political operatives steered the AG’s office was false, while avoiding me as I waited outside his campaign bus. But records from his office make it clear the story was all too true
[….]
10:34 AM – 22 Dec 2018

People figured that out a while back:

“…He [Josh Hawley] is, well here’s, let me make sure that you understand. He is, every member of his staff is a taxpayer resource. Every e-mail they read from his political operatives is using taxpayer resources. When political operatives are in official meetings giving direction, talking about punch lists that is a political operation that he is bringing his state staff to deal with. He is having the political operatives run the taxpayer operated operation. So he is bending taxpayer resources to his political will. That is using taxpayer resources for political purposes. It may not be a copy machine where he’s copying flyers, but it is just as significant and, frankly, in some ways more insidious because he has turned official resources into a political operation. That’s what violates, uh, not only good judgment, not only does it disappoint Missourians about what the Attorney General’s office is supposed to be, but I believe it crosses the line in terms of the law…” – Claire McCaskill (D) – November 1, 2018

Previously:

Josh Hawley (r): Who did you say was in charge at the Attorney General’s office? (October 31, 2018)

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D): Who was in charge at the Attorney General’s office? (November 1, 2018)

Senator Claire McCaskill (D): Who was in charge at the Attorney General’s office? – Press Q and A – November 1, 2018 (November 1, 2018)

Josh Hawley (r): Ask me no more questions, I’ll tell you no more lies… (November 4, 2018)

Josh, we barely knew ya (December 6, 2018)

By the book (December 14, 2018)

Anyone remember Bill Webster (r)? (December 22, 2018)

Anyone remember Bill Webster (r)?

22 Saturday Dec 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in Claire McCaskill, Josh Hawley, social media, US Senate

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Attorney General, Bill Webster, Claire McCaskill, investigation, Josh Hawley, missouri, Secretary of State, social media, State Auditor, Twitter

We do.

“…He [Josh Hawley] is, well here’s, let me make sure that you understand. He is, every member of his staff is a taxpayer resource. Every e-mail they read from his political operatives is using taxpayer resources. When political operatives are in official meetings giving direction, talking about punch lists that is a political operation that he is bringing his state staff to deal with. He is having the political operatives run the taxpayer operated operation. So he is bending taxpayer resources to his political will. That is using taxpayer resources for political purposes. It may not be a copy machine where he’s copying flyers, but it is just as significant and, frankly, in some ways more insidious because he has turned official resources into a political operation. That’s what violates, uh, not only good judgment, not only does it disappoint Missourians about what the Attorney General’s office is supposed to be, but I believe it crosses the line in terms of the law…” – Claire McCaskill (D) – November 1, 2018

Senator Claire McCaskill (D) [2018 file photo].

Late last night, Claire McCaskill (D) on Josh Hawley (r), via Twitter:

Claire McCaskill @clairecmc
This isn’t what real prosecutors do. And btw not one person has gone to jail or been convicted of a felony in Missouri as a result of this made for TV “raid”, directed by political consultants. “Run of show” and make sure he has law enforcement outfit on? Lord above this is bad.
[….]
10:55 PM – 21 Dec 2018

Josh Hawley (r) [2016 file photo].

On the documents in the Friday news dump:

Mark Pedroli @MarkPedroli
Josh Hawley’s “outside consultants” directing taxpayer-paid state employees to produce Josh Hawley movies.

“Wag the Dog”??

They’re even telling him what to wear. No wonder @AGJoshHawley dumped the docs on @JayAshcroftMO Fri before Christmas. Good Grief!
[….]
3:55 PM – 21 Dec 2018

We remember Attorney General Bill Webster (r).

Previously:

Josh Hawley (r): Who did you say was in charge at the Attorney General’s office? (October 31, 2018)

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D): Who was in charge at the Attorney General’s office? (November 1, 2018)

Senator Claire McCaskill (D): Who was in charge at the Attorney General’s office? – Press Q and A – November 1, 2018 (November 1, 2018)

Josh Hawley (r): Ask me no more questions, I’ll tell you no more lies… (November 4, 2018)

Josh, we barely knew ya (December 6, 2018)

By the book (December 14, 2018)

By the book

14 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in Josh Hawley, US Senate

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Attorney General, audit, Bill Webster, investigation, Jay Ashcroft, Josh Hawley, missouri, Nicole Galloway, Secretary of State, State Auditor

“…heightened scrutiny…”

Josh Hawley (r) [2016 file photo].

State Auditor Nicole Galloway (D) [2018 file photo].

Auditor Galloway responds to request from Secretary of State for assistance in investigating complaint against Attorney General
December 14, 2018

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo (Dec. 14, 2018) State Auditor Nicole Galloway today responded to the request by Secretary Jay Ashcroft for assistance in investigating a complaint against the Attorney General. The complaint alleges Attorney General Josh Hawley used public funds to support his candidacy for the U.S. Senate. A routine closeout audit of the Attorney General’s Office will begin after Attorney General Hawley officially resigns.

“The goal of an independent audit is to get to the truth for taxpayers and not to proceed based on assumptions,” Auditor Galloway said. “My office will review these concerns with heightened scrutiny.”
[….]

It’s nice to have a real State Auditor.

The letter [pdf] from State Auditor Nicole Galloway (D) to Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (r):

Nicole R. Galloway, CPA
Missouri State Auditor
December 14, 2018

The Honorable John R. Ashcroft
Secretary of State
James C. Kirkpatrick State Information Center
600 W. Main Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101

Re: Closeout audit of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office

Dear Secretary Ashcroft:

In your letter dated December 10, 2018, you requested my office investigate, as part of or routine closeout audit, whether Attorney general Josh Hawley used public funds while Attorney general in support of hi candidacy for the U.S Senate. In that letter, you also offered to provide documents to my office and requested access to audit records, as well s access to audit discussions with employees and third-parties related to the allegations of improper use of state resources.

Based on you letter, I understand that you have determined that the allegations in the American Democracy League Fund complaint are not frivolous, and are proceeding with an investigation. We appreciate your offer to provide documentation obtained in the course of your investigation. My office will be reaching out to your office to request these documents.

As you noted, the State Auditor’s Office always reviews use of taxpayer funds in audits. The same is true of any closeout audit of a statewide office holder. Based on the concerns expressed in your letter, my office will review the allegation with heightened scrutiny.

A closeout audit will begin when the term of the prior officer has ended – here, after Attorney general Hawley officially resigns. Attorney General Hawley’s administration will be the subject of the audit, but the auditee will be both Attorney general Hawley and appointed Attorney General Eric Schmitt. As such, document requests to that office will be directed to and processed by incoming Attorney General Schmitt.

Missouri law permits us to share with you records in matters officially before your office. In conducting an audit, we must comply with Government Auditing Standards established by the Comptroller General of the United States, as well as Missouri law. We look forward to discussing those parameters with your office.

[….]

My Chief of Staff, Michael Moorefield, will be contacting your office in the coming days.

Sincerely,
s/
Nicole Galloway, CPA
State Auditor

cc: The Honorable Josh Hawley, Missouri Attorney General
The Honorable Eric Schmitt, Missouri State Treasurer

Jay Ashcroft (r) [2017 file photo].

Alrighty then.

Throw everything against the wall

09 Sunday Dec 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in Resist, social media

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

#resist, Donald Trump, impeachment, investigation, It's Mueller Time, Media, Robert Mueller, Russia, social media, special counsel, Twitter

Consciousness of guilt.

Bad combover. Check. Too long red tie. Check. Orange spray tan. Check. Tiny hands. Check. Cluelessness. Check…

This evening:

Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump
The Trump Administration has accomplished more than any other U.S. Administration in its first two (not even) years of existence, & we are having a great time doing it! All of this despite the Fake News Media, which has gone totally out of its mind-truly the Enemy of the People!
4:43 PM – 9 Dec 2018

“…Enemy of the People…” That’s a problem.

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