Russian firm pleads not guilty in Mueller election case

Politico ^ | May 9, 2018 | JOSH GERSTEIN

[PJ-Comix]

A Russian company tied to a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin entered a not-guilty plea Wednesday in a U.S. criminal case charging that it funded internet trolls and polarizing social media advertisements in a bid to boost Donald Trump's chances of winning the 2016 presidential election.

Prosecutors from special counsel Robert Mueller's office allege that the firm, Concord Management and Consulting LLC, was controlled by a Russian oligarch known as Putin's chef, Yevgeniy Prigozhin. He is one of the 13 individuals charged in the case.

Neither Prigozhin nor any officer or owner of Concord Management showed up at the U.S. district court in Washington for the brief arraignment hearing. However, two U.S. attorneys, Eric Dubelier and Kate Seikaly of law firm Reed Smith, represented the company.

[PJ-Comix]

When the case was filed in February, many legal experts viewed it as a so-called "name-and-shame" indictment, filed to call public attention to the alleged crimes and to make international travel more difficult for the defendants, but with no real expectation that any defendant was likely to show up in court. The Russian firm's appearance could be seen as an effort to call prosecutors' bluff by forcing them to proceed to a trial they never expected to have to put on.

Okay so WHEN does Team Mueller have to present the evidence that they don't have in court?

[Sacajaweau]

How the hell are you going to prove they were any different than anyone else.....those being the thousands who were against Queen Hillary .

[PGR88]

in a U.S. criminal case charging that it funded internet trolls and polarizing social media advertisements

How exactly is "funding internet trolls" a crime?? Isn't that more-or-less how Facebook and Google make money? By trying to manipulate people on the internet to behave a certain way?

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

Discovery. Will Mueller turn over the evidence or drop the case?

[KC_Conspirator]

Lets see that discovery now. I have no doubt they will try to proceed and lose very, very badly.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Popcorn!

[KC_Conspirator]

Discovery process. Expect the Mueller team to commit multiple Brady violations by either slow rolling evidence, or hiding exculpatory evidence, such as in the Flynn case.

[Hoosier-Daddy]

Not to mention George Soros...

[PJ-Comix]

When does the Discovery process happen?

[Meet the New Boss]

From Special Counsel Mueller's indictment:

Defendants and their co-conspirators, through an ORGANIZATION-controlled social media account, arranged for a real U.S. person to stand in front of the White House in the District of Columbia under false pretenses to hold a sign that read "Happy 55th Birthday Dear Boss."

[Fhios]

Prigozhin, also personally charged by Mueller, has been dubbed “Putin’s cook”

That can be sooo misread.

[gwjack]

My memory of the Speedy Trial Act is that trial is required to commence within 70 days. I’d expect the Judge will lay out the schedule at the hearing on May 16. My experience is that prosecutors are rarely ready to proceed that “fast.” They will be hoisted on their own petard. My prediction is that the case will be dismissed prior to being required to select a jury.

[timestax]

ping