"Special Counsel John Durham is out with another filing in the case against Michael Sussmann, the Clinton campaign lawyer who was indicted for making a false statement to the FBI.
In the filing, Durham revealed more of the evidence that he had, plus utilized the specific terms “joint venture” regarding the involvement of the Clinton campaign. That would seem to indicate that he’s looking beyond Michael Sussmann.
Durham included a text message from Sussmann to the FBI General Counsel James Baker’s cellphone, asking to talk with him about something sensitive, but claiming he wasn’t representing any clients.
Jim – it’s Michael Sussmann. I have something time-sensitive (and sensitive) I need to discuss. Do you have availibilty for a short meeting tomorrow? I’m coming on my own – not on behalf of a client or company – want to help the Bureau. Thanks. (emphasis added).
The FBI General Counsel responded: “Ok. I will find a time. What might work for you?” To which the defendant replied: “Any time but lunchtime – you name it.”
Durham said “the defendant had assembled and conveyed the allegations to the FBI on behalf of at least two specific clients, including (i) a technology executive (“Tech Executive-1”) at a U.S.-based Internet company (“Internet Company-1”), and (ii) the Clinton Campaign.”
Then according to Durham, Sussmann’s billing records showed that he billed the Clinton campaign for the time he spent on calls and meetings pushing the Russia allegations.
Durham continued that he expected the evidence to show that the defendant Sussmann was working in a “joint venture” with Tech Executive-1 and the Clinton campaign to spread the false information connecting Donald Trump to Russia.
“As an initial matter, the Government expects that the evidence at trial will show that beginning in late July/early August 2016, the defendant, Tech Executive-1, and agents of the Clinton Campaign were ‘acting in concert toward a common goal,’ … namely, the goal of assembling and disseminating the Russian Bank-1 allegations and other derogatory information about Trump and his associates to the media and the U.S. government,” Durham’s team said.
“The evidence of a joint venture or conspiracy will establish,” according to the prosecutors, “that in November 2016, soon after the Presidential election, Tech Executive-1 emailed a colleague, stating, “I was tentatively offered the top [cybersecurity] job by the Democrats when it looked like they’d win.'”
“In sum,” the special counsel concludes, “the above evidence, public information, and expected testimony clearly establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant and Tech Executive-1 worked in concert with each other and with agents of the Clinton Campaign to research and disseminate the Russian Bank-1 allegations.”
So, not only has Durham laid out the case regarding Sussmann, but Durham is also calling the effort a joint venture with the Clinton campaign to spread this false information. This fits with what former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe had said — that there could be more indictments on the way, based on the evidence.
It’s all the ducks being lined up in a row. So, grab your popcorn, because it sure sounds like Durham has more to come."
Thursday, April 7, 2022
New Durham Filing Reveals More - Including on Clinton Campaign Role
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