US District Judge Christopher Cooper, an Obama appointee, refused to dismiss charges of lying to the FBI against Hillary lawyer Michael Sussmann, whose lawyers made the ridiculous argument that lying to the FBI is covered by free speech and that the lie was not important even though it caused the FBI to launch a major investigation of Donald Trump. The trial is now slated to start on May 16th.
Michael Sussmann called FBI lawyer James Baker for a meeting and when Baker asked him if he was representing a client, Sussmann lied and said that he was not. He was actually representing Hillary Clinton and Rodney Joffe. Joffe is the techie who has been accused of spying on Donald Trump, both as a candidate and while in the Oval Office.
It seems to me that if Sussmann wanted to get the charges dismissed, he should have done it on the grounds that he is a Democrat. That has worked for many Democrats over the years, including his client Hillary Clinton.
US District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled:
“Specifically, Sussmann allegedly told Baker that he was not attending the meeting on behalf of any client when, in fact, he had assembled and was conveying the information on behalf of two specific clients: (1) a technology-industry executive named Rodney Joffe and (2) the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign.”
“The FBI opened an investigation based on the information Sussmann provided, but ultimately determined that there was insufficient evidence to support the existence of a communication channel between the Trump campaign and the Russian bank. Sussmann has pled not guilty to the charge and denies lying to the FBI.”
“The court will deny the motion.”
Michael Sussmann's motion to dimiss has been denied.
They're going to trial on May 16, absent a plea deal or other developments (continuance, etc).
Full doc: https://t.co/TBgYOT9OEe pic.twitter.com/XlFHqx3kSm
— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) April 13, 2022
According to the indictment, Sussmann falsely told James Baker he wasn’t doing work “for any client” when he asked for a meeting with the FBI where he presented bogus evidence the Trump Tower was secretly communicating with Kremlin-tied Alfa Bank.
The attorneys for Michael Sussmann in February requested the courts dismiss Durham’s case against him.
Sussmann’s lawyers absurdly argued that his false statement to the feds is protected under the First Amendment and made no impact on the FBI’s probe.
Durham blasted Sussmann in a new filing last month and revealed Hillary’s lawyer actually alleged Trump and his associates were using Russian-made phones in the vicinity of the White House.
