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You are here: Home / Politics / America / Breaking News Part II: The Manafort Jury Has Returned Some Verdicts

Breaking News Part II: The Manafort Jury Has Returned Some Verdicts

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Gonna be one of those days!

More to follow, I’m sure, as the details are reported.

We also have some more Cohen news:

According the leaders of the Senate Intel Committee, Cohen doesn’t actually have any knowledge of the meeting at Trump Tower between Don Jr., Jared, Manafort, and Veselnetskiya and her entourage.

The President’s rally in West Virginia tonight is going to be lit!!!!

Open thread.

Reader Interactions

200Comments

  1. 1.

    zhena gogolia

    Avenatti: The developments of today will permit us to have the stay lifted in the civil case & should also permit us to proceed with an expedited deposition of Trump under oath about what he knew, when he knew it, and what he did about it. We will disclose it all to the public.

  3. 3.

    Brachiator

    Just saw the news. Yes!!!

    There’s going to be some crazy Tweeting tonight in Trump land.

  9. 9.

    satby

    So, was it that those 8 counts had the strongest evidence of it was just unavoidably obvious he was guilty? What about the other 10, prosecutors can refile, but does it seem likely?

  11. 11.

    Adam L Silverman

    Just put some updates up top. The President of the United States is now an unindicted co-conspirator in two of Michael Cohen’s crimes.

  12. 12.

    lamh36

    Media talking about what will GOP do…well this guy on CNN…some former McDonnel aide is already spinning it with the “2 sides” to every story line…

    SATSQ

  14. 14.

    Bjacques

    A pu-pu platter of convictions that will still guarantee him a lifetime in the calaboose, whatever happens with the other ten counts. I’d call this glass half (okay, 44.44%) full.

    Next…

  15. 15.

    zhena gogolia

    WaPo: “Cohen is the fifth Trump associate to have pleaded guilty or be charged with criminal wrongdoing since Trump took office, including his former national security adviser, his deputy campaign chairman and a former campaign policy adviser.”

    Harsh to see it spelled out in black and white like that.

  22. 22.

    Alain the site fixer

    Looks like a swarm of Russian and Chinese bots. Hosting Matters seems to have won the day, so let’s hope the site remains usable. I won’t be changing anything for at least 24 hours of stability.

  26. 26.

    Luthe

    Cohen only said “a candidate for federal office.” Obviously, Hillary was giving him directions. Checkmate, libs! /Fox News viewer

  29. 29.

    trollhattan

    This would probably get attention on another day, so in case y’all miss it.

    A judge in Washington DC has dismissed a lawsuit against an ex-British spy who compiled a dossier alleging links between Donald Trump and the Kremlin.

    Christopher Steele was sued by three Russian oligarchs who claimed he defamed them by writing that they tried to influence the 2016 US election. Mr Steele’s lawyers argued that the legal action was frivolous and an attempt to silence him.

    On Monday a judge agreed, saying Mr Steele has a right to his opinion.

    Lawyers for Russian billionaires Mikhail Fridman, Petr Aven and German Khan had argued that Mr Steele was not entitled to free speech protections under the first amendment to the US constitution, because he is not a citizen of the United States. But Judge Anthony Epstein disagreed, writing in his judgment that “advocacy on issues of public interest has the capacity to inform public debate, and thereby furthers the purposes of the First Amendment, regardless of the citizenship or residency of the speakers”.

    The judge also cited Washington DC’s anti-SLAPP law (or strategic lawsuits against public participation), which prevents parties from filing lawsuits to tamp down on opposing political views.

    Heh, suck it, Russkies.

  31. 31.

    Brachiator

    @zhena gogolia:
    RE: This is the first day for a long time when I think he might actually resign.

    Trump would burn the country down first. He is incapable of accepting or admitting responsibility.

    But we can throw his ass out.

  32. 32.

    David Rickard

    Inevitable GOP talking points: there should be no restrictions on campaign finances (raising or spending) since “money is speech”, therefore any such laws are bad and should be ignored, therefore no action can be taken against president* Trump.
    All of which points will be instantly forgotten the next time a Democrat gets accused/charged with campaign finance misdeeds.

  36. 36.

    jacy

    Trump is going to be unhinged tonight. I’m telling you, he’s not going to make it through his term because his psyche is going to immolate. He can’t take much more pressure, and I don’t think it gets any better from here on out. The dominoes are falling.

    Also, on MSNBC Howard Fineman is wearing a purple knit tie.

  37. 37.

    Anonymous37

    Remember, according to Bob Somerby of The Daily Howler blog, “we almost never root for people to get charged with crimes,” and those of you who are doing so are bad, bad people. Shame on all of you.

  39. 39.

    Adam L Silverman

    I just want to make this very clear: according the Department of Justice, the President of the United States is an unindicted coconspirator in two of Michael Cohen’s crimes. Right now Paul Ryan is in full pucker mode because pressure is now going to build for the Congress to do something. I doubt McConnell really cares because he doesn’t seem to care about anything.

  49. 49.

    lamh36

    So Manafort, Cohen and Omarosa with video tonight on Hardball…Lord it’s just Tuesday!!

  52. 52.

    Brachiator

    @lamh36:

    Media talking about what will GOP do…well this guy on CNN…some former McDonnel aide is already spinning it with the “2 sides” to every story line…

    Yes, and a nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse. These dopes need better bromides.

  54. 54.

    lamh36

    Yep… Manafort is not afraid or Trump or caring bout Trump pardon…he’s afraid of Russia!

    @alfranken
    My wife Franni has been saying for months that Trump won’t pardon Manafort—because he doesn’t have to. Her theory is simple and chilling. Manafort knows that if he talks, the Russians will seek retribution.
    https://twitter.com/alfranken/status/1032013612418834433

  55. 55.

    The Moar You Know

    Gonna be a great day at work tomorrow when our Trump-lovin’ CEO comes in the door. 50/50 as to whether she breaks down sobbing or not. Actually about 90/10. She likes that “public display of raw grief over unfairness” shit.

  58. 58.

    randy khan

    @Adam L Silverman:

    I just want to make this very clear: according the Department of Justice, the President of the United States is an unindicted coconspirator in two of Michael Cohen’s crimes.

    We should just have this on repeat. It’s the actual big news of the day.

  62. 62.

    JPL

    I feel bad for Cohen because his tax and bank fraud charges are so minor compared to Manafort. The campaign finance is icing on the cake though.

  63. 63.

    Mike in NC

    The President’s rally in West Virginia tonight is going to be lit!!!!

    Much moonshine will be consumed. But it’s after 5:00 here and Happy Hour it sure is.

  64. 64.

    Corner Stone

    This prosecutor is sticking the Absolute Knife right into Trump’s fucking guts. Somebody call for a HazMat Cleanup Team!

  66. 66.

    Duane

    It sounds extreme but the entire republican party really is a criminal organization. Top to bottom. All of this is fascinating to see. Trumpov may blow his orange stack tonight.

  69. 69.

    TenguPhule

    @Adam L Silverman:

    Right now Paul Ryan is in full pucker mode because pressure is now going to build for the Congress to do something.

    Paul Ryan is out of fucks to give.

  70. 70.

    Brachiator

    @The Moar You Know: I should not gloat, but please keep is posted as to the CEOs reaction.

    Mongol General: Conan! What is best in life?

    Conan: To crush your enemies. See them driven before you. And to hear the lamentations of their women.

  72. 72.

    The Moar You Know

    Remember, according to Bob Somerby of The Daily Howler blog, “we almost never root for people to get charged with crimes,”

    @Anonymous37: Save for blacks, Hispanics, Democrats, gays, hippies, pot smokers, Hillary, atheists, food stamp recipients, the media, animal rights activists, socialists, NFL players, police oversight boards…oh, I could literally go on all day with the groups of folks the Republicans have said they wanted jailed this week.

  74. 74.

    Roger Moore

    @zhena gogolia:

    WaPo: “Cohen is the fifth Trump associate to have pleaded guilty or be charged with criminal wrongdoing since Trump took office, including his former national security adviser, his deputy campaign chairman and a former campaign policy adviser.”

    Cohen is the fifth coffee boy from the Trump campaign to have pleaded guilty or been convicted of criminal wrongdoing since Trump took office. Why did the Trump campaign need so many people to fetch coffee?

  75. 75.

    MisterForkbeard

    Wow. Manafort’s guilty verdicts give him a max of 75 years in prison. That’s… really impressive.

    Not that it really matters – even 10 is a death sentence for him. But I find that encouraging, even if the jury had some people who somehow couldn’t figure out that Manafort was guilty for the remaining 10 charges.

  76. 76.

    West of the Rockies

    @trollhattan:

    A Russian oligarch has got to know his limitations…

    Or to put I another another way: Russian oligarch, your ego is writing checks your body can’t cash.

  78. 78.

    debbie

    @Cheryl Rofer:

    Wouldn’t it be great if every person in the area amassed at the White House and shouted that out repeatedly? Bet the crowd would be bigger than Trump’s Inauguration crowd!

  79. 79.

    lamh36

    @Acosta
    1m1 minute ago
    More
    Source close to WH says WH had hoped for favorable verdict in Manafort case as they had plans to attack the Mueller investigation in the event of mistrial or not guilty verdict. The plan was to attack the Mueller investigation if the Manafort case had gone their way, source said

  80. 80.

    eric

    from fox news….look out West Virginia:

    Mollie Tibbetts’ suspected killer identified as 24-year-old illegal immigrant

  83. 83.

    david

    Let the pile-on begin:
    —–
    Caroline O (@RVAwonk)

    omfg, Omarosa says she has video tapes and she is reportedly going to drop one of them at 7pm tonight on #Hardball with @HardballChris.

    Trump’s rally starts at 7pm.
    —–

  84. 84.

    p.a.

    @Duane: Trumpov may blow his orange stack tonight.

    Wherever he is, Sessions is destroying any electronic means of communication within a 2 block radius.

  89. 89.

    TS (the original)

    There are so many people – associated with trump – who would have been so much happier if trump had lost the election. Winning was an unforeseen disaster

  90. 90.

    MattF

    @david: Are they video recordings from the Situation Room? I’m starting to think that things are somewhat chaotic in the WH. Just a bit.

  92. 92.

    Corner Stone

    For fuck’s sake, why in the fuck would MSNBC have GWB staffer and RWNJ Sara Fagen on after everything that has happened today so far? What a fucking scumbag.

  97. 97.

    lamh36

    @tparti
    9m9 minutes ago
    More
    Source close to the White House says what a lot of people are thinking, with Trump on his way to W. Va.: “What if he pardons Manafort live on television? This is crisis PR firms worst nightmare..”

  101. 101.

    oldgold

    Watch for Trump to bang on the Mollie Tibbets developments at tonight’s rally. FOX already is.

  102. 102.

    Cacti

    Today feels like the start of the turning of the tide.

    Proverbial blood has been drawn for the first time from the fascist coup occupying the national government.

  108. 108.

    HeleninEire

    It was so funny. My Dad texted me and said “Happy Birthday to me, [tomorrow is his birthday] go look at the news” So I text back “OMG Cohen is pleading guilty” and he texts back “WHAT? I was talking about Manafort” So they both happened at almost the same time. So double Happy 84th Birthday to Dad!! ?

  110. 110.

    david

    @TenguPhule: Ryan got that tax cut passed, and he got his $500k check in return for said services. He’ll have a cushy 6-fig think tank job within 6 months. He’s got zero worries, just counting the days until Jan ’19.

    So, not all the bad guys will face judgement. The smart ones either left already, or are packing their bags with their share of the loot.

  111. 111.

    SRW1

    How would it look for Trump to pardon Cohen convicted of crimes in which he, Trump, is an unindicted co-conspirator on two charges?

  112. 112.

    Cheryl Rofer

  113. 113.

    lamh36

    @costareports
    48s48 seconds ago
    More
    NEWS: Trump adviser Larry Kudlow hosted publisher of white nationalists at his home

    Costas news

  115. 115.

    David ??Merry Christmas?? Koch

    Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing crystal methamphetamine.

  117. 117.

    david

    @MattF: Not sure. Just reading what’s being teased. And it’s Chris Matthew with Omarosa. Two wild cards on a chaotic day. Just hoping it isn’t a Maddow ‘tax return’ flop.

  122. 122.

    TenguPhule

    @david:

    He’ll have a cushy 6-fig think tank job within 6 months. He’s got zero worries, just counting the days until Jan ’19.

    So, not all the bad guys will face judgement. The smart ones either left already, or are packing their bags with their share of the loot.

    High Treason is still punishable by Death.

  125. 125.

    Cheryl Rofer

    Hope they had a Plan B

  128. 128.

    YetAnotherJay formerly (Jay S)

    @lamh36: That sounded more like a “poor baby” than an actual defense of Manafort. The Cohen tweets are probably still to come.

  130. 130.

    japa21

    Semi OT. Mrs Japa has been seriously discouraged today. She found out that the surgery done on her broken wrist 7 weeks ago will have to be pretty much redone. Apparently some of her bones have done things they should’t and as a result the screws are impinging on other bones on her wrist and need to be repositioned.

    Why this is only semi OT is that the news about Cohen and Manafort has gone a long way towards lifting her spirits.

  131. 131.

    Mary G

    Front page of the Drudge Report has been updated to:

    TRUMP HELL HOUR

    In even bigger red type. Love the lamentations of my enemies.

  133. 133.

    lamh36

    @RVAwonk
    1h1 hour ago
    More
    omfg, Omarosa says she has video tapes and she is reportedly going to drop one of them at 7pm tonight on #Hardball with @HardballChris.

    Trump’s rally starts at 7pm.

  136. 136.

    David ??Merry Christmas?? Koch

    It’s quarter to three
    There’s no one in the place ‘cept you and me
    So set ’em’ up joe
    I got a little story I think you oughtta know

    We’re drinking my friend
    To the end of a brief episode
    So make it one for my baby
    And one more for the road

    I know the routine
    Put another nickel in that there machine
    I’m feeling so bad
    Won’t you make the music easy and sad

    I could tell you a lot
    But you gotta to be true to your code
    So make it one for my baby
    And one more for the road

  138. 138.

    eric

    from CNN:

    The Miami Herald is endorsing congressional candidate Bettina Rodriguez Aguilera, who claimed in a 2009 interview that she boarded a spaceship occupied by aliens when she was 7-years-old.

  140. 140.

    TS (the original)

    @rikyrah:

    He can be retried on any mistrial counts, right?

    He can & I think the prosecution may go that route. The judge caused confusion to the case against Manafort – the time & result of the jury deliberations highlighted what he did.

  141. 141.

    MomSense

    When I see trump twoop (tweet while pooping – stolen from someone) “rigged witch hunt”, am I the only person who hears Jack Nicholson’s voice say “is there another kind”?

    On the Manafort verdict, I think the 10 counts are still open cases. In a way, it seems like the jury’s split verdict says they carefully considered the charges and reached a thoughtful decision. They were not rubber stamping the prosecutors. At least that is how I’m choosing to see this. I’m trying to be positive. Major life changes for me are afoot.

  146. 146.

    Anonymous At Work

    WTF is no one talking about Broidy?!? Convicted serial briber that’s married to one of California’s top litigators admits to an affair and paying for an abortion. No talk about divorce or marital problems.
    Then gets millions acting as middle-man for some sleazy contracts.
    And is Cohen’s only other real client.
    I buy that conspiracy theory.

  147. 147.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @jacy:

    Also, on MSNBC Howard Fineman is wearing a purple knit tie.

    Jeez, like the day wasn’t exciting enough already.

  148. 148.

    Adam L Silverman

    Hmmm….

  149. 149.

    Anonymous At Work

    @TS (the original): Even better is that Manafort’s broke. So, his legal team can ditch him between this trial and the re-trial. Prosecution tightens their case a bit and gets a friendlier judge, and it’s possible to get 18/18.

  151. 151.

    Steeplejack

    @zhena gogolia:

    You need to take a tip from those guys who listen to NFL games in church. Get a news site on your phone and a discreet earbud speaker.

  153. 153.

    Doug R

    @The Moar You Know:

    Gonna be a great day at work tomorrow when our Trump-lovin’ CEO comes in the door. 50/50 as to whether she breaks down sobbing or not. Actually about 90/10. She likes that “public display of raw grief over unfairness” shit.

    She? Ugh. Only 26% of college women still support him.

  157. 157.

    Yarrow

    @Mary G: Been saying it all day. Right now it’s with the “s” because his adult kids’ turns haven’t come yet. Tick tock, motherfuckers!

  158. 158.

    Adam L Silverman

    Someone is in serious denial!

  159. 159.

    zhena gogolia

    @Adam L Silverman:

    He’s so full of it! These were charges that emerged in the course of the investigation — it doesn’t mean there was no conspiracy with Russia at all!!!!

  160. 160.

    Adam L Silverman

    @Anonymous At Work: Actually he isn’t Cohen’s other client. When Cohen’s previous attorney announced in court who the three clients were, Broidy was not one of them.

  162. 162.

    TS (the original)

    @Cheryl Rofer:

    The plan was to attack the Mueller investigation if the Manafort case had gone their way, source said

    No-one needs a “white house source” to know this. trump has been implementing said plan ever since Manafort was charged.

  163. 163.

    debbie

    @MomSense:

    The 10 charges can be retried if the prosecutor chooses. I’ve heard they may not in order for the second trial to proceed.

  165. 165.

    Hobbes83

    I want to add this as an addendum to the events that unfolded today; Manafort was found guilty in eight counts by a jury. Guess how many counts Cohen pled to today?

  166. 166.

    low-tech cyclist

    We shall see the Republicans driven before us, and hear the lamentations of their donors.

  168. 168.

    debbie

    @japa21:

    So sorry to read this. Wrists can be real nuisances, as G&T will attest. Best wishes for a speedy recovery the second time around.

  169. 169.

    MisterForkbeard

    @Cheryl Rofer: Pretty sure Plan B is to pretend that this IS a favorable verdict. “They couldn’t convict him on over half the charges. RIGGED WITCH HUNT and also didn’t have anything to do with the campaign and Manafort only worked for me for like a week, tops.”

  172. 172.

    Adam L Silverman

    @Anonymous At Work: The article is wrong. Almost all the reporting on who his attorney named in court as the third client was wrong, but it stuck and continues to stick. Cohen’s previous attorney listed the President personally, the Trump Organization, and Hannity.

  174. 174.

    John REvolta

    @japa21: That sucks, but on the other hand (as it were) it’s good news that they caught it and they’re going to fix it. A wrist is something you want working 100% so look at it as a GOOD thing……………in the long run.

  176. 176.

    MisterForkbeard

    @Adam L Silverman: This whole thing has me pumped enough that I really want to go do something active. Swim, run, something.

    Unfortunately, I have two hours of meetings. :/

  177. 177.

    Это курам на смех

    This is the first day for a long time when I think he might actually resign.

    The world’s biggest narcissist holds the world’s most prestigious job. He ain’t going anywhere unless it’s in a body bag.

  183. 183.

    trnc

    @Adam L Silverman: The Trump Org was Cohen’s client before he started his own practice in 2017. When he started his practice, he dropped the org and, at some point, picked up Broidy. From the court filing:
    “For at least three other clients that we have identified in the period of 2017 to 2018, the work was more direct legal advice or dispute resolution–more traditional legal tasks. All of these clients are individuals. One of these legal clients is Donald J. Trump. Another legal client is Elliot Broidy. The third legal client directed Mr. Cohen to not to reveal the identity publicly.”
    https://www.businessinsider.com.au/trump-lawyer-michael-cohen-represented-3-people-past-year-2018-4

  187. 187.

    MomSense

    @Josie:

    I’m taking a new job and starting a business with a dear friend. So far things seem to be falling in place.

    My life will be really busy but happier.

  190. 190.

    Shalimar

    @eric: I thought the bigger news is that she claims the aliens still communicate with her telepathically. Good choice, Miami Herald.

  191. 191.

    Shalimar

    @MisterForkbeard: Even as a plan B, that was only marginally effective before Cohen’s plea fucked them. That is the tougher news to defend, as it implicates Trump directly.

  194. 194.

    catclub

    Nixon resigned because he finally knew that the GOP house and Senate reps would no longer back him. No evidence that 15+ GOP senator would vote to convict an ANY impeachment charge at this time.

    Why resign?@Это курам на смех: yep

  195. 195.

    J R in WV

    @japa21:

    Sorry to hear that orthopedic surgery didn’t work out well. At least it isn’t life threatening type bad outcome.

    May want to consult with other ortho surgeons not associated with Dr who hosed the first repair? Find another better guy, in other words.

  196. 196.

    WaterGirl

    @japa21: Terribly discouraging news. I’m so sorry. That totally sucks. The only good news is that it appears to be fixable. Give her a hug from me.

  197. 197.

    trnc

    @terry chay: Yes, Broidy was a client in 2017. From the court filing:

    For at least three other clients that we have identified in the period of 2017 to 2018, the work was more direct legal advice or dispute resolution–more traditional legal tasks. All of these clients are individuals. One of these legal clients is Donald J. Trump. Another legal client is Elliot Broidy. The third legal client directed Mr. Cohen to not to reveal the identity publicly. Upon information and belief, the unnamed legal client’s matters are responsive to any matter covered by Attachment A of the search warrants.

    In order to follow the Court’s direction, we have reached out to as many of Mr. Cohen’s
    former legal clients from 2017-2018 as possible, including the business clients for which we are not claiming privilege, in order to obtain their consent to have their identities revealed. Of the three legal clients, Donald J. Trump and Elliot Broidy have allowed us to reveal the fact that they are legal clients.

    https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-lawyer-michael-cohen-represented-3-people-past-year-2018-4

  198. 198.

    J R in WV

    @Shalimar:

    I thought the bigger news is that she claims the aliens still communicate with her telepathically. Good choice, Miami Herald.

    My personal aliens tell me that you are bigoted against aliens and are not to be trusted at all when the subject is alien visitations and communications!!!!

    So there!

  199. 199.

    trnc

    @terry chay: Sorry, meant to also point out that Cohen was the Trump Organization’s lawyer from 2007-2017, but dropped the org as a client when he started his own practice.

  200. 200.

    James E Powell

    @eric:

    The Miami Herald is endorsing congressional candidate Bettina Rodriguez Aguilera, who claimed in a 2009 interview that she boarded a spaceship occupied by aliens when she was 7-years-old.

    Okay that’s strange and crazy, for sure. But it isn’t the strangest or craziest thing we’ve heard Republicans say. And she isn’t the strangest or craziest Republican endorsed by the Miami Herald.

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