A Review Of The 8 Witches Robert Mueller Has Snagged So Far

A Review Of The 8 Witches Robert Mueller Has Snagged So Far

That sure is a lot of witches!

News of Paul Manafort’s decision to end his legal defense and begin cooperating with Special Counsel Robert Mueller radiated through Washington Friday. Manafort’s cooperation agreement is the latest and most high profile win for the Special Counsel who continues to be undefeated in all legal proceedings in the Russia investigation.

And since we already know President Trump’s response will be to call the entire investigation “witch hunt,” we thought it would be helpful to do a review of all the witches that Mueller and his team have snagged so far.

1. Paul Manafort: Guilty, Cooperating

Paul Manafort is a longtime Republican operative who worked as a lobbyist and consultant to foreign regimens including the pro-Russian president of Ukraine. Manafort was the campaign chairman of the Trump campaign.

Charges: President Trump’s campaign chairman has been charged by Special Counsel Robert Mueller with dozens of tax and bank fraud charges, making false statements to investigators, being an unregistered agent of a foreign government (pro-Russia Ukrainians) and obstruction of justice.

Result: On September 14, Paul Manafort entered a guilty plea on one count of conspiracy against the United States and one count of obstruction of justice. Manafort also agreed to cooperate with Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigators. Manafort was also convicted on 8 counts of financial fraud in his first trial on August 24, 2018.

2. Michael Cohen: Guilty, Cooperating

Michael Cohen is a longtime business associate of Donald Trump having served as a senior executive in the Trump Organization. He was also Trump’s personal attorney and “fixer.”

Charges:  Micheal Cohen was charged with Tax evasion, bank fraud, campaign finance violations.

Result: On August 24, Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to multiple counts of financial including campaign finance violations. Importantly, Cohen named President Trump as an unindicted co-conspirator saying Trump directed him to commit the campaign finance violations.

3. Michael Flynn: Guilty, Cooperating

Michael Flynn was President Trump’s first National Security Advisor and a senior advisor to the Trump campaign.

Charges: Michael Flynn was charged with lying to the FBI about conversations with the Russian ambassador during the campaign and presidential transition.

Result: Michael Flynn pleaded guilty on December 1, 2017, to lying to federal investigators and agreed to cooperate with Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation.

4. Rick Gates: Guilty, Cooperating

Rick Gates served on the Trump campaign and was Paul Manafort’s deputy for years.

Charges: Rick Gates was charged with multiple counts of financial crimes and lying to the FBI.

Result: On February 23, 2018, Rick Gates pleaded guilty to lying to investigators and agreed to cooperate with Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

5. Sam Patten: Guilty, Cooperating

Sam Patten is a Republican lobbyist linked to Paul Manafort who is accused of helping to illegally funnel Russian money into Donald Trump’s presidential transition account.

Charges: Sam Patten was charged with failing to register as a foreign agent.

Result: On August 31, 2018, Sam Patten pleaded guilty and is now cooperating with the Justice Department including Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

 

6. George Papadopoulos: Guilty, sentenced

George Papadopoulos was a foreign policy advisor to Donald Trump’s campaign. Papadopoulos was accused of attempting to connect the Trump campaign with the Russian hacking effort saying the Russians had dirt on Hillary Clinton.

Charges: Papadopoulos was charged with lying to federal investigators.

Result: On September 7, 2018, George Papadopoulos was sentenced to 14 days in prison for lying to federal investigators.

7. Alex van der Zwaan: Guilty, sentenced

Alex van der Zwaan is a lawyer who worked with Paul Manafort and Rick Gates. Van der Zwaan also has family connections to a prominent Russia oligarch close to Vladimir Putin.

8. Richard Pinedo: Guilty, cooperating

Richard Pinedo sold bank accounts and fake documents to Russians.

Charges: Richard Pinedo was charged with identity fraud by Special Counsel investigators.

Results: Pinedo pleaded guilty to identity fraud charges and is cooperating with the Special Counsel.