Mueller Prosecutors May Have Lied To DOJ About Stone Prison Sentence Recommendation
By: By Sean Davis
Prosecutors in charge of the federal case against Roger Stone may have lied to the Department of Justice about their lengthy prison sentence recommendation for Stone, according to a new report .
Fox News reported earlier today that DOJ was blindsided by the formal recommendation from operatives tapped by former Special Counsel Robert Mueller that Stone be sentenced to up to nine years in prison. A source told Fox that the sentence recommendation was “extreme, excessive, and grossly disproportionate” to Stone’s crimes.
“The Department was shocked to see the sentencing recommendation in the filing in the Stone case last night,” the DOJ official reportedly told Fox . “The sentencing recommendation was not what had been briefed to the Department.”
The report from Fox News suggested that DOJ was in the process of rescinding the rogue prosecutors’ recommendation.
Sources told The Federalist that Timothy Shea, who was recently appointed to take over as the top federal prosecutor in D.C. earlier this month, was bullied into agreeing to the sentence recommendation by Adam Jed and Aaron Zelinsky, who were originally tapped by Mueller to investigate whether Donald Trump treasonously colluded with the Russian government to steal the 2016 election from Hillary Clinton. A full investigative report released by Mueller last year revealed that the Mueller investigation found zero evidence for any of the claims of collusion between Trump and the Russians. According to a separate report on serial abuses committed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) during its investigation of Trump, the DOJ inspector general found that the government knew long before Mueller was even appointed that there was no evidence of any collusion.
Shea’s acquiescence to the demand by the disgruntled former Mueller operatives raised questions about whether Shea was operationally in control of the D.C. prosecutor’s office, or whether he had effectively outsourced major decisions in high-profile cases to Mueller’s former deputies.
Stone, a flamboyant and bombastic 67-year-old political operator who briefly moved within the Trump campaign’s orbit in 2016, was convicted last November of lying to Congress, witness tampering, and obstruction. On Monday, the Mueller prosecutors who tried Stone’s case shocked legal experts by recommending that Stone be imprisoned for seven to nine years for non-violent offenses. In their sentencing memo, Zelinsky and Zed claimed that alleged threats made by Stone against former associate Randy Credico necessitated the lengthy prison sentence.
Credico, however, told the court that he never felt threatened by Stone, whom he characterized as “[a]ll bark and no bite[.]”
“I never in any way felt that Stone himself posed a direct physical threat to me,” Credico said .
Stone’s sentencing recommendation isn’t the first to raise eyebrows. In January, the prosecutors overseeing the case against former White House National Security Adviser Michael Flynn also abruptly changed their sentencing recommendation for him from parole potential time in prison. That sentencing recommendation was filed just one day after former D.C. U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu was nominated by Trump for a position outside DOJ. The name of Brandon Van Grack, the former Mueller prosecutor who wrote that particular sentencing memorandum, was conspicuously missing from the most recent government filings in the Flynn case, raising questions about whether he was still allowed to work on the case. Flynn is currently in the process of trying to withdraw his guilty plea of lying to the FBI.
Shea, Criminal Division Chief Thomas Martin, and a press contact for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in D.C. did not respond to requests for comment prior to publication of this article.
UPDATE: Aaron Zelinsky, the former Mueller operative behind the “grossly disproportionate” sentencing recommendation against Stone, filed notice in federal court on Tuesday afternoon that he was withdrawing from the Stone case and resigning from the D.C. U.S. Attorney’s office effective immediately. Aaron Zed, another disgruntled former Mueller operative, also resigned on Tuesday, as did Jonathan Kravis, an assistant prosecutor in the D.C. office. Michael Marando, the fourth and final prosecutor involved in the “egregious” Stone sentencing scheme, withdrew as counsel on the case early Tuesday evening but did not resign.
DOJ has not announced whether it will seek legal or ethical sanctions against any of the attorneys who allegedly lied to DOJ about their rogue sentencing scheme against Roger Stone. In a filing submitted late Tuesday evening, DOJ said the original sentencing memorandum did not reflect the position of the U.S. government and that a nearly decade-long sentence for a non-violent first-time criminal would be inappropriate.
All rats now fleeing the sinking ship
Stone was tried fairly and the sentencing guidlines were federally mandated for all convicted for such crimes. It was Roy Cohn Barr put his finger on scales of justice by amending the recommendation AFTER tRump ranted.
Is that why legal experts were shocked by the idea of Stone being imprisoned for all that time?
WHEN Trump tweeted his "outrage" at the proposed sentence is when Barr went into action. Barr knew prior to that point that the prosecutors were recommending 7 to 9 years and said nothing. Trump said "jump" to Barr and Barr jumped.
The most likely motive for Trump to demand a lighter sentence for Stone is to keep Stone "happy" and unwilling to reveal dirt on Trump.
He did? The article says that Barr & the DOJ was LIED to. Can anyone still believe anything the Mueller team says anymore?
What a sad last act for an otherwise good Marine and civil servant. The left has no shame. They will use and abuse ANYONE in the way of their preferred narrative.
Sickening!
We saw how senile he was. That's why he was chosen. He was a figure head. Weissmann ran that investigation or farce (depending on ones point of view)
How senile who was, the 'president'? He is just a figure head, you're right.
Let's leave the slogans & bombast aside, John. You know how to discuss a topic.
I know, poor bastard didn't deserve that but since the left has no shame he got it anyway.
He's sharp as a tack. NH primary results show the people know it. For you and others it's always about Trump.
Take a deep breath and concentrate on the topic:
The Russia collusion hoax and the rogue agents who ran it
The whole thing was so well orchestrated. They got Sessions out of the way, made a little noise and Rosenstein is appointing a special prosecutor (Mueller) with all anti-Trump progressive lawyers comprising "the team." We are still sorting out all the malfeasance/criminality of all those involved.
Simply hilarious the he chose to quote a article from a publication that, according to media bias/fact check has a bias rating as far to the extreme left as their scale allows!
Vic, you go on and on with conspiracy theories and bombastic nonsense
on a steady basis. You are a far right propagandist, so it is to be expected. Nonetheless , stop threatening people who object to your propaganda.
I deal in facts John and I don't threaten
Holy shit .... pot calling the kettle black to the degree of infinity and beyond .....
I remember the days when you used to claim to be a "moderate".
LOL
No you don't.
Always! You may not like them.
[removed,] I doubt you would know a moderate if you saw one!
[removed]
'We are still sorting out all the malfeasance/criminality of all those involved.'
You are?
No need There is no malfeasance/criminality on the part of Mueller or his team.
Also, Manafort's seized assets paid for this quite nicely.
You might have more to worry about than I do. You have a good day.
Oh you just caught that?
Only slightly worse than The Federalist rating. So?
I did not claim that as a sole source of info like somebody else did another source.
I fail to see where anyone claimed any such thing, in fact I don't believe JR did anything except quote someone else's Twitter exchange.
Sharp as a tack? Oh please. Sharp people don't make the hundreds of gaffs Trump has (ie - congratulating KS for the win when the team is in Missouri.)
Can anybody ever believe anything from the far right wing Federalist?
I still am. Just not what you consider one.
People who believe conspiracy theories and try to berate most Democrats as "leftists" are not moderates.
Pray tell what conspiracy theories have I promoted here or elsewhere? I do not believe all Democrats are leftists and never have. Many are, but not all. Have I stated here or elsewhere that all are? Please, if that is the case prove it and be specific.
I personally don't bother with the Federalist as it is too far right leaning for my liking.
I have been under the impression for many decades, that the judge decides the sentence, no matter what the prosecution or defense lawyers ask for...
Can you prove any of that?
You cannot deny the timeline.
I don't need to accept or deny the timeline. By itself, it doesn't demonstrate the specific cause and effect that JR has alleged.
Barr is the 'president's' lap dog and consigliere.
I'm not interested in slurs. This is a discussion forum.
Stone, a flamboyant and bombastic 67-year-old political operator who briefly moved within the Trump campaign’s orbit in 2016
A Brief History of Roger Stone
The GOP operative and self-described “dirty trickster,” who was convicted today, has been a presence in the president’s life for more than 30 years.
I'm surprised the 'president' hasn't said he doesn't even know the guy.
Irrelevant
We are not prosecuting the case, we are questioning the harsh sentence sought and why it was hidden from the DOJ.
In other words the motives of the Mueller team.
Muva, you do have a point!
I'm chalking that up!
What point? That's hilarious!
ROFL. Roger Stone's conviction was never in doubt, not because he didnt get a fair trial, but because he was so obviously guilty. The only reason the verdict took a day and a half was because some of the counts were complicated.
Muva raised a good point. Is a DC jury capable of an unbiased verdict for anyone connected to Trump?
No lets turn the law against somebody you don't like. I'll ask you the same questions I asked John in Post # 6.2.1
They should have asked for a change of venue but the outcome would have been the same.
Mueller Prosecutors May Have Lied To DOJ
The same as allegedly?
Sources say?
The morning after learning that Trump has corrupted the Justice Department, Republican Senators will teach him a lesson. It'll be the same lesson they taught when they acquitted him last week.
"The truth is that men are tired of liberty."
— Benito Mussolini
We might need a corollary to Godwins law ...... we can call it the Mussolini Matrix .... how many posts does it take before accusations of Fascism are leveled. It may happen faster than Godwins law does ....
Department of Justice and Criminal Division policies impose limitations on the authority of the United States Attorney to decline prosecution, to prosecute, and to take certain actions relating to the prosecution of criminal cases. These policy limitations are discussed throughout the Justice Manual, with a centralized listing contained in 9-2.400 .
With regard to policy limitations, if in the opinion of the United States Attorney the exigencies of the situation prevent compliance with a policy, he/she shall take the action deemed appropriate. He/she shall promptly report to the Criminal Division the deviation from policy, or if the policy is established by a higher authority, report to that authority and be guided by the instructions furnished him/her. A written report of the deviation should be promptly made. Approval of the action of the United States Attorney or his/her taking action as instructed shall be deemed, for all purposes, to be compliance with the policy. Among the purposes of this language is to ensure that criminals do not escape prosecution by inaction on the part of a United States Attorney immobilized by policy; to require a report of deviation from policy in order that the policy may be evaluated; and to express confidence in the judgment, and to reaffirm the authority, of the United States Attorney in such a situation.
If the United States Attorney discovers that a policy of the Division or of a higher authority has not been followed because of inadvertence, he/she shall promptly notify the Division or higher authority of the deviation from policy by the most expeditious means and subsequently in writing. He/she shall be guided by the instructions furnished him/her. Approval of the action of the United States Attorney, or his/her taking action as instructed shall be deemed, for all purposes, to be compliance with the policy.
In the instances when the United States Attorney is directed to consult with the Division prior to taking an action, such consultation will typically be by an Assistant United States Attorney with an attorney of the section assigned responsibility for the statute or matter involved. If there is a disagreement at this level, the matter should be resolved by appropriate higher authority before the disputed action is taken.
I love headlines that include MAY HAVE. They are almost always wrong, but hey it gets clicks!
Instead of the DOJ we have the DOI. Dept of INJUSTICE.
2009-2016
We actually have a head of the DOJ that thinks a president is above the law and has absolute power.
Eric Holder (Attorney General to Obama) comes to mind.
"I’m still enjoying what I’m doing, there’s still work to be done. I’m still the President’s wing-man, so I’m there with my boy. So we’ll see," Holder said in an interview on the Tom Joyner radio show."
That was GREAT.....wasn't it ?
Oh look, the three left turns make a right...
Did holder ever say a president is above the law?
To LATE !
The same "Courtesy" extended back then, should be extended NOW !
That's called …….. FAIR !
Look whose talking. [ deleted ]
"Did holder ever say a president is above the law?"
When did Attorney General William P. Barr say Trump was "Above the law" ?
His actions prove he considers Trump above the law. Or are you not bothering to follow real news?
When did the GOP turn into the party of autocracy and dictatorship? They used to at least pretend to be patriotic - now they don't even bother trying to pretend they support our Constitution. They sleep with traitors now.
Actions ?
Not actual "Speak" ?
Like "Fast and Furious" ?
The "Wing man" did it.
Semantics. If one does not know where Barr stands after all these years....
Hell look at his work and words throughout history, including his work with Bush 1.
He is a partisan lawyer that conveniently changes his tune or fades from the limelight when a Democrat is in charge.
He is also a hypocrite.
"Feelings, Nothing more than "Feelings" !
"Critisism" isn't "Against the Law" !
"Barr framed Trump’s actions as fully justifiable, even arguing that if the president feels an investigation is unfounded, he “does not have to sit there constitutionally and allow it to run its course.”
That's a True Statement...… and...… AND...… relating to EVERYONES RIGHTS ON THIS PLANET !
Barr has NEVER said..... "Trump is above the law".
True? So any president can feel any investigation is unfounded and stop it...
Talk about feelings....
If one refuses to see, one will never see.
Whatever the "Laws of this land" Allow someone to do !
So let me get this straight. The lawyers did their job. The scumbag was found guilty and they recommended a sentence.
Then the donald DOJ decides to intervene on behalf of a crony.
The lawyers resign in disgust after being basically stepped on.
The right wing then cheers on the DOJ getting directly involved in a case with a donald crony and cheer on the actions of lawyers leaving and only want people in the DOJ that would be nothing but partisan loyalists.
Katrix is right. The right wing cheers on autocracy.
The right wing has gone from rights and freedom to crowning a king.
I don't understand how anyone can be so disloyal to our country.
I would like to say that I'll laugh when this bites them in the ass down the road, but unlike them, I'm patriotic and I won't like it no matter who does it.
I keep saying they are opening up doors they may come to regret.
Falls on deaf ears.