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posted by Fnord666 on Tuesday March 17 2020, @01:43PM   Printer-friendly
from the prosecution-lacks-conviction dept.

https://www.courthousenews.com/feds-move-to-drop-charges-against-russian-firm-filed-in-mueller-probe/

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.


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  • (Score: 3, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 17 2020, @05:40PM (7 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 17 2020, @05:40PM (#972354)

    Oh come now. Do you think anybody actually cared about the alleged "meddling" in and of itself? Can you even define meddling? I damn sure can't in any way that makes it anything whatsoever unique. For instance take the same standard social media companies used to point to "Russian agents" meddling. That seemed to be somebody from Russia engaging in political actions around the US election. Ok, now take that same standard and tell me how many "American agents" meddling in Brexit? Or even back to our own election, how many "Israeli agents" or "Mexican agents" meddled?

    It's a nonsensical allegation. This [google.com] is a Google Trends for "election meddling". It didn't exist (practically speaking) until we invented it as an allegation after Trump was elected. And it was never about any alleged crime. It was an effort to try to undermine Trump and undermine democracy. Because by suggesting it was the evil reds manipulating people, you don't have to accept that Trump was democratically elected. And indeed, the establishment has been trying to get Trump out of office since day 0 of his election.

    The reason it was parroted out is because it was never about the offense. It was about trying to manipulate public opinion and spread FUD - fear, uncertainty, and doubt - a disinformation strategy used to manipulate people. To put it more succinctly - propaganda. Quite ironic.

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  • (Score: 5, Interesting) by DeathMonkey on Tuesday March 17 2020, @05:44PM (6 children)

    by DeathMonkey (1380) on Tuesday March 17 2020, @05:44PM (#972356) Journal

    It is illegal for foreign governments to help candidates win elections.

    Do you think anybody actually cared about the alleged "meddling" in and of itself?

    George Washington cared about meddling:

    "A free people ought to be constantly awake, since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government.” Washington’s Farewell Address, 1796

    • (Score: -1, Offtopic) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 17 2020, @05:48PM (1 child)

      by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 17 2020, @05:48PM (#972362)

      Russia hoax, fake news, deep state FBI. Umm, 12D chess!

      • (Score: -1, Offtopic) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 17 2020, @07:44PM

        by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 17 2020, @07:44PM (#972432)

        ...Fake president...

    • (Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 17 2020, @07:19PM (3 children)

      by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 17 2020, @07:19PM (#972420)

      Ah, so when Obama chose to speak in Britain about Brexit and was overtly trying to direct Brits on who to elect, that was illegal?

      This is the thing about the "meddling". No matter how you try to define it, it's mostly nonsensical. And that's the reason it only became a term in 2016. It's one of those things that sounds kind of scary and ominous, but when you actually ask yourself what is actually being alleged - it is mostly nonsensical, capricious, arbitrary, and above all - grossly exaggerated.

      • (Score: -1, Offtopic) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 17 2020, @07:41PM

        by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 17 2020, @07:41PM (#972428)

        Like the virus crisis.

      • (Score: 2) by PartTimeZombie on Tuesday March 17 2020, @08:00PM

        by PartTimeZombie (4827) on Tuesday March 17 2020, @08:00PM (#972440)

        Hey A/C, can you tell us about Obama's tan suit or how awful it is to put mustard on a hamburger?

      • (Score: -1, Redundant) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 17 2020, @10:38PM

        by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 17 2020, @10:38PM (#972513)

        Lol at Soylent for this having a troll mod