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A federal judge on Monday dismissed charges against a Russian company accused of funding the Kremlin's efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election, after federal prosecutors said the company has flaunted court rules and made the prosecution more trouble than it is worth.
The ruling by U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich came hours after the Justice Department asked to drop the charges against Concord Management and Consulting.
"There is a substantial federal interest in defending American democratic institutions, exposing those who endeavor to criminally interfere with them, and holding them accountable, which is why this prosecution was properly commenced in the first place," the government said in a 9-page motion filed Monday. "In light of the defendant's conduct, however, its ephemeral presence and immunity to just punishment, the risk of exposure of law enforcement's tools and techniques and the post-indictment change in the proof available at trial, the balance of equities has shifted."
Part of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation, a grand jury in February 2018 indicted Concord Management and Consulting, as well as 13 Russian nationals and two other companies in connection with Russian efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential elections using social media troll farms and influence campaigns.
Concord Management was the only alleged conspirator to enter an appearance in court and vigorously contested the charges over the ensuing two years.
But prosecutors say Concord Management has never really participated in the prosecution, instead using court proceedings to collect information about how the U.S. government responds to and monitors efforts from foreign countries to interfere in its elections.
(Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 17 2020, @03:21PM (2 children)
You know, when you go around demanding actual evidence, you're going to trigger a lot of democrats. That is why you got modded down. They are still enraged over their election loss. And demanding things like evidence only means that you are pro-Trump. Notice if you will, that absolutely none leaked out during the entire impeachment charade, and the man is still securely on the job. Infuriating, ain't it?
(Score: 5, Informative) by DeathMonkey on Tuesday March 17 2020, @05:40PM (1 child)
That's what trials are for, presenting evidence.
Barr decided enforcing the law was just too darn hard and would make Trump look bad so why bother.
The only ones choosing to present zero evidence are Barr's prosecutors.
(Score: 0, Touché) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 17 2020, @05:58PM
*sigh* same old partisan bullshit...
Democrats hardly made any effort. Aside from bringing in more money, they have failed in every way, to the point of it being intentional to cover their own asses. Enforcing the law will make them all look bad. There's so little demand, from the voters that just will not elect a competent congress.