Federal prosecutors conclude president committed a felony

[origami_itto]

On approximately June 16, 2015, Individual-1, for whom Cohen worked at the time, began an ultimately successful campaign for President of the United States. Cohen had no formal title with the campaign, but had a campaign email address, and, at various times advised the campaign, including on matters of interest to the press. Cohen also made media appearances as a surrogate and supporter of Individual-1. During the campaign, Cohen played a central role in two similar schemes to purchase the rights to stories – each from women who claimed to have had an affair with Individual-1 – so as to suppress the stories and thereby prevent them from influencing the election. With respect to both payments, Cohen acted with the intent to influence the 2016 presidential election. Cohen coordinated his actions with one or more members of the campaign, including through meetings and phone calls, about the fact, nature, and timing of the payments.

In particular, and as Cohen himself has now admitted, with respect to both payments, he acted in coordination with and at the direction of Individual-1.

https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/fe ... -a-felony/

[Steve James]

To be fair:

Trump told reporters he has not read the court filings, which detail alleged lies Cohen and Manafort told publicly and to investigators.

However,

"We're very happy with what we're reading because there was no collusion whatsoever," Trump told reporters Saturday at the White House before boarding Marine One for the Army-Navy game in Philadelphia.

Given that collusion isn't a crime, I can see why he's happy about it too. I'd be a bit worried about being accused of "crimes."

[GrahamB]

NO CULLYEION!

[origami_itto]

To be fair:

Trump told reporters he has not read the court filings, which detail alleged lies Cohen and Manafort told publicly and to investigators.

However,

"We're very happy with what we're reading because there was no collusion whatsoever," Trump told reporters Saturday at the White House before boarding Marine One for the Army-Navy game in Philadelphia.

Given that collusion isn't a crime, I can see why he's happy about it too. I'd be a bit worried about being accused of "crimes."

I'm sure Cohen has lied, but why tell a lie that gets you 61 months in prison when you could tell the truth that exonerates you both? The only logical answer is because that is the truth.

Micheal Cohen is going to prison for up to five years due to crimes he admitted committing at the direction of the President.

[Steve James]

Micheal Cohen is going to prison for up to five years due to crimes he admitted committing at the direction of the President.

There's a big difference between what a person is sentenced to and the time he actually serves. I think it's likely that the judge will be lenient as long as he honors the agreement to tell "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth." If he is caught in a lie now, the book will be thrown at him.

[Peacedog]

Actually, Cohen is doing time for tax evasion and fraud.

[Steve James]

Cohen hasn't even been sentenced yet, let alone done time. But, it wasn't just for tax evasion.

While Manafort’s conviction had long been anticipated, it was Cohen’s guilty plea that triggered the most significant shockwaves on Tuesday afternoon. Cohen, who pleaded guilty to bank fraud, tax fraud and campaign finance violations, by hiding “hush money” payments he made to adult film actor Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal, on behalf of Trump, and disguising them as legal services rendered, among other financial crimes.

Cohen, who will be sentenced in December, is expected to serve between four to five years in prison.

[grzegorz]

And the GOP slowly wakes up to the nightmare they created as the economy crashes and the truth comes out and the forgotten man remains forgotten.

[Steve James]

Cohen has been sentenced to 3 years. That'll be 18 months with good behavior if he's not eligible for parole after a year.

[everything]

I don't understand this "don't indict a sitting president" logic.

why don't we have the "vote of no confidence" that Theresa May just barely survied

[origami_itto]

We've got impeachment. I don't think the constitution includes votes of no confidence.

[Steve James]

I don't understand this "don't indict a sitting president" logic.

why don't we have the "vote of no confidence" that Theresa May just barely survied

Well, the idea is that the president is necessary to run the government, and can't afford to be diverted from his or her duty to be on trial --which he or she might win anyway. It's just a practical matter. He can be removed from office and then tried, or he could resign and be tried. Though, the precedent would be for the new president to pardon the outgoing one. Nixon left before he was impeached.

Otoh, Bill Clinton was impeached for lying about having a fling with Monica. It was so bad that it's used to stain Hillary's character. But, he went on to have a good presidency. Ah well, the 90s.

There's nothing in the Constitution that says a president can't be indicted. It's just a decision reached by the DOJ. It could be challenged in court, or by an individual with cause. The prez can't murder someone on 5th avenue and not be subject to law. Sure, he might be able to pardon himself, but not before being convicted; or, at least, pleading guilty.

[everything]

hmm that is a bit hard to understand.

one article said the democrats would be afraid to go for impeachment in case of backlash. didn't work so well for the republicans and clinton if we judge by his approval ratings despite the sex scandal, and now Trump is authorizing payoffs about his own sex scandals in the era of #metoo and no one wants to try to take any legal action?

[Steve James]

one article said the democrats would be afraid to go for impeachment in case of backlash

Well, it's the internet. There'll be articles saying everything. But, yeah, Trump says the people will revolt if he's impeached. I suppose he means that the republicans will revolt. Though, I don't know what that means exactly. Will they not vote for democrats? Will they try to take over the government or form their own country? What would he encourage them to do?

[everything]

good grief I can't stand the political circus.