Manafort is charged with acting as unregistered foreign agent for acting on behalf of Ukraine. One the things he did was setup a fake NGO in Belgium that was supposed to look independent, but actually was controlled by Manafort/Ukraine. The NGO in Belgium worked with two US lobbying groups, the Podesta Group (Tony and not John) and Mercury LLC, a Democratic and and Republican shop. This came up in reports last year, but neither Podesta or Mercury were ever indicted. This could mean they were cooperating. I know that the Podesta group made the NGO send them a legal opinion they were truly independent. If that's legit and the Podesta Group didn't actually know Manafort was behind it, they are not going to be prosecuting, because it would be very had to convict them.
from a quick search I don't see Podesta or Mercury or Weber (head of Mercury) on this list. Interestingly enough, several emails to Tad Devine, Bernie's Sanders campaign manager are on this list. Devine used to be a partner with Manafort.
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think- ago
Hi @MeatballPizza, since this is only speculation so far, and thegatewaypundig isn't a reliable source, I am going to flair the post 'Unverified'.
KnightsofHubris ago
Manafort is charged with acting as unregistered foreign agent for acting on behalf of Ukraine. One the things he did was setup a fake NGO in Belgium that was supposed to look independent, but actually was controlled by Manafort/Ukraine. The NGO in Belgium worked with two US lobbying groups, the Podesta Group (Tony and not John) and Mercury LLC, a Democratic and and Republican shop. This came up in reports last year, but neither Podesta or Mercury were ever indicted. This could mean they were cooperating. I know that the Podesta group made the NGO send them a legal opinion they were truly independent. If that's legit and the Podesta Group didn't actually know Manafort was behind it, they are not going to be prosecuting, because it would be very had to convict them.
KnightsofHubris ago
from a quick search I don't see Podesta or Mercury or Weber (head of Mercury) on this list. Interestingly enough, several emails to Tad Devine, Bernie's Sanders campaign manager are on this list. Devine used to be a partner with Manafort.