Exclusive: Mueller's team questioning Russian oligarchs

[mobeau69]

Source: CNN

Washington (CNN) Special counsel Robert Mueller's team has taken the unusual step of questioning Russian oligarchs who traveled into the US, stopping at least one and searching his electronic devices when his private jet landed at a New York area airport, according to multiple sources familiar with the inquiry.

A second Russian oligarch was stopped during a recent trip to the US, although it is not clear if he was searched, according to a person briefed on the matter.

Mueller's team has also made an informal voluntary document and interview request to a third Russian oligarch who has not traveled to the US recently.

The situations have one thing in common: Investigators are asking whether wealthy Russians illegally funneled cash donations directly or indirectly into Donald Trump's presidential campaign and inauguration.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/04/politics/mueller-special-counsel-investigation-russian-oligarchs/index.html?sr=twCNN040418mueller-special-counsel-investigation-russian-oligarchs0502PMStory

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[Botany]

1. Hello!

Washington (CNN) Special counsel Robert Mueller's team has taken the unusual step of questioning Russian oligarchs who traveled into the US, stopping at least one and searching his electronic devices when his private jet landed at a New York area airport, according to multiple sources familiar with the inquiry.

snip

The situations have one thing in common: Investigators are asking whether wealthy Russians illegally funneled cash donations directly or indirectly into Donald Trump's presidential campaign and inauguration.

******

I see a twitter storm coming.

[ailsagirl]

17. Good one!!!

[erronis]

2. I would guess that the IRA/FSB/GRB/Putin would make sure that devices are safe

Either by encrypting the hell out of them with plausible deniability or by making sure there is no incriminating evidence within the oligarchs' possession.

After all, it is simple enough to set up a secure channel to the Kremlin once you are in Mer-de-Lardo.

[BigmanPigman]

3. Good point!

[uncle ray]

11. i would have thought the same of our domestic oligarchs and traitors.

that is, up to about a year ago. we are now seeing how careless they were in their treasonous activities. i suspect the russian oligarchs were just as careless.

[paleotn]

13. You'd be amazed at how careless some can be..

Over confidence has a way of making people sloppy. And that's when they get caught.

[erronis]

14. And a lot of these types of people aren't really bright in the first place. What a mess they're in!

[Leghorn21]

4. Oh HELL yeah!!! Did we ever doubt they were?!

Thank you for your service, Mr. Mueller & Co.!!!

[Clarity2]

5. Note:

The approach to Russian oligarchs in recent weeks may reflect that Mueller's team has already obtained records or documents that it has legal jurisdiction over and can get easily, one source said, and now it's a "wish list" to see what other information they can obtain from Russians entering the US or through their voluntary cooperation

[Tommy_Carcetti]

6. Kudos to independent journalist Scott Stedman who was ahead of this story:

https://medium.com/@ScottMStedman/deripaskas-private-jet-newark-moscow-molde-for-secret-yacht-meeting-280494a6cb48

[NastyRiffraff]

7. Mueller's not playing, is he?

It may seem that this investigation is taking forever, but that's only because we're understandably anxious for people to pay the price for betraying our country. Mueller and his team are moving systematically and inexorably toward a conclusion, or several conclusions. When he strikes, it won't be a scratch; it'll be a killing blow. (Metaphorically, of course)

[ailsagirl]

8. "inexorably"-- I like that

[HuskyOffset]

15. it's an awesome word

It has a sense of weight behind it, an implacable, relentless, unstoppable inevitability. I like to think of this Mueller Trump investigation like being in a stadium sized garbage compactor. There is no way out and the far wall of the stadium moves towards the other wall, but only an inch per day. It doesn't seem so bad at first, after all, the wall is very far away. Day by day the space grows smaller. It might be weeks before you really notice that the wall has even moved, but eventually you're going to start to feel trapped, and the panic is going to set it.


Stock up on depends, Mr. Trump . . . Mueller is coming for you.

[ailsagirl]

16. Hear, hear!!

[LanternWaste]

9. Mueller doesn't take kindly to New Thinking and Alternative Truths.

Mueller doesn't take kindly to New Thinking and Alternative Truths. He's looking for facts.

[LiberalLovinLug]

10. "and inauguration"?

So they also contributed to the pomp and ceremony of the emperor being crowned?

[Honeycombe8]

12. I guess to see if they want to volunteer anything, because they don't have to tell him anything.

They don't have to tell him anything. So that's pretty interesting. I wonder what he was asking about. Hmmmm.

[SergeStorms]

18. Mueller should include the NRA in that probe as well.

Russian money was sent to the NRA during the campaign, and it's not too hard to figure out where that money was headed. Right into the coffers of the Trump campaign, no doubt.