Remember “Paulie” Manafort?
With ALL that’s been in the news lately, it would be understandable if the name Manafort had slipped your memory [joking; let me put this way, you’d have had to have been stranded on Treasure Island with Ben Gunn].
The first trial from special counsel Bobby Mueller’s investigation is set to begin Tuesday in Alexandria, Va., in what will serve as a major test !!! of Mueller’s 14-month effort that has overshadowed the Trump presidency.
But, Paulie hasn’t squealed yet! A whispered pardon, maybe?
Personally, I hope the SOB hangs…
The Russian interference in the 2016 election has resulted, thus far, in charges against 25 Russians and four former advisers to Donald John Trump.
With that being said, the case against Paulie Manafort, Trump’s former campaign chief, will delve into Manafort’s personal finances largely before his work on the campaign.
A conviction would provide Mueller momentum as he pushes to complete the investigation amid criticism from some Republicans [specifically from “Waterboy” Nunes] that he is leading a partisan inquiry.
An acquittal would give Mueller’s critics ammunition to push for a quick end to the special counsel’s investigative operation.
Manafort has pleaded NOT guilty and denies ALL of the charges, which include tax fraud, bank fraud and failing to file reports on foreign bank accounts.
From my vantage point, Manafort also faces a second, related criminal trial [probably in September] in Washington, DC, after this one, and could face intense pressure ! to cooperate with Mueller, depending on the outcome of the first trial.
NONE of the charges, to date, have anything to do with the 45th president.
The 32-count indictment charges Manafort with disguising more than $30 million in overseas income by moving it through offshore accounts, lying to banks and evading taxes.
Keep in mind, this first trial, in Virginia, faces an uphill battle, notably with the judge.
The judge in this Virginia case, TS Ellis III, suggested in court, earlier, that the prosecutors were simply pursuing the case as a way of pressuring Manafort to provide evidence that could implicate Trump.
Be sure there’s plenty of buttered popcorn and Diet Coke available, at any given moment.
Is this a great country, or what?
Lobster on the Prairie 