Is Manafort Backtracking?

Is Manafort Backtracking?

By Michael Wolraich on Fri, 11/09/2018 - 10:35pm |

This story is so odd. Who's behind the leaks, and why?

ABC News cites "multiple sources" claiming that Mueller is frustrated with Manafort's non-cooperation, but we haven't seen a leak from the Mueller team since the investigation began a year-and-a-half ago, and they have no incentive to break that policy now. Mueller can threaten Manafort with prison time directly, no need to go through the press.

That leaves Manafort's team. But what's their incentive? Are they sending a message to Trump? To the Russians? Manafort might wish to remain in the good graces of one or the other by publicizing his recalcitrance, but if so, why did he agree to cooperate in the first place?

Or is the Trump team behind the leak, perhaps based on information they received from the joint defense agreement that Giuliani claimed was ongoing...or perhaps based on wishful thinking.

Or could this "leak" be a ruse to make someone think that Mueller isn't getting anywhere with Manafort?

URL:

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/tensions-rising-mueller-manafort-level-cooperation-sources/story?id=59086047

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The Guardian published this today, by Peter Stone in DC

Konstantin Kilimnik: elusive Russian with ties to Manafort faces fresh Mueller scrutiny

New details emerge about 48-year-old said to have ties to Russian intelligence, including the use of a private jet owned by an oligarch close to Putin

The Daily Beast has same:

A Russian man mentored by Manafort is coming under renewed scrutiny from Mueller https://t.co/Quatfap289
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) November 9, 2018

So maybe it's not just about conflicting stories with Roger Stone?

by artappraiser on Fri, 11/09/2018 - 11:09pm

Maybe. But no matter the target, it's still mysterious who would leak about Manafort non-cooperation. And why.

by Michael Wolraich on Sat, 11/10/2018 - 2:11pm

Wild speculation but this tweet here suggests leaker could be someone with inside access that is sympathetic to right wing outfit Judicial Watch goals (that of Paula Jones/Linda Tripp vast right wing conspiracy fame)

Tensions rising between Mueller, Manafort over level of cooperation: Abusive Mueller Special Counsel operation demanding info from the 80's! Shut it down. https://t.co/yPYeBMweRe
— Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) November 9, 2018

Though the leaker would have to have a less political C.V. than most of Judicial Watch folks for ABC to take them seriously.

by artappraiser on Sun, 11/11/2018 - 3:36am

Interesting. That's not the slant I imagined, certainly not the way ABC framed it, but it's plausible that the sources intended to discredit the Mueller investigation.

by Michael Wolraich on Sun, 11/11/2018 - 9:45am

On the other hand, Fitton tries to spin every news break into an argument for shutting down the Mueller investigation.

by Michael Wolraich on Sun, 11/11/2018 - 3:21pm

I basically agree, was just wild speculation. Because: puzzling, as you say.

by artappraiser on Mon, 11/12/2018 - 3:56am

Seth Abramson is skeptical about the ABC Manafort story "from a week ago" in this 7-tweet thread posted 2 hrs. ago.

by artappraiser on Fri, 11/16/2018 - 2:44am

Getting the goods on Pence is critical - replacing Trump with that snake would not be a huge win - all the collusion pieces would stay in place for another 2 years.

by PeraclesPlease on Fri, 11/16/2018 - 3:13am

If Trump and Pence were impeached you know who would be next in line now don't you? It would take irrefutable evidence of major crimes for the senate to impeach. Almost impossible.

by ocean-kat on Fri, 11/16/2018 - 3:35am

Pelosi, presumably (tho technically AFAIK the House impeaches, the Senate then holds trial).

by PeraclesPlease on Fri, 11/16/2018 - 6:01am

Is Mike Pence Loyal? Trump Is Asking, Despite His Recent Endorsement

In recent weeks, Trump has asked aides in one conversation after another a pointed question: Is Mike Pence loyal? Trump has repeated the question so many times that he has alarmed some of his advisers. @maggieNYT @katierogers https://t.co/DXqD1VuTeP
— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) November 16, 2018

by artappraiser on Fri, 11/16/2018 - 3:05pm

Breaking on this. Michael, your gut instincts were right

NEW: MUELLER accuses MANAFORT of lying during post-plea agreement interviews with the @FBI & the special counsel's office "on a variety of subject matters, which constitute breaches of the agreement."

Manafort lawyers dispute, & say "he believes he has provided
truthful info" pic.twitter.com/yOITPIg17J
— Kenneth P. Vogel (@kenvogel) November 26, 2018

Hardball live on MSNBC is covering this right now.

by artappraiser on Mon, 11/26/2018 - 7:02pm

Vogel just tweeted more:

MANAFORT's lawyers say that he "has provided information to the government in an effort to live up to his cooperation obligations."

The court is now being asked to schedule a sentencing hearing at which the judge can decide whether Manafort cooperated truthfully. pic.twitter.com/GomgphVMQO
— Kenneth P. Vogel (@kenvogel) November 27, 2018

by artappraiser on Mon, 11/26/2018 - 7:04pm

Which instinct? I was thinking about this after the plea agreement news, but I still can't figure out who leaked the noncooperation story.

by Michael Wolraich on Wed, 11/28/2018 - 8:28pm

I guess you're right, I misremembered and didn't re-read (do I get in trouble for that? hah). you're not a genius, as you really were questioning whether the thing was true.

by artappraiser on Wed, 11/28/2018 - 10:39pm

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