Stories
Slash Boxes
Comments

SoylentNews is people

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.


Original Submission

 
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.
Display Options Threshold/Breakthrough Mark All as Read Mark All as Unread
The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.
  • (Score: 2) by hemocyanin on Tuesday March 17 2020, @08:17PM

    by hemocyanin (186) on Tuesday March 17 2020, @08:17PM (#972450) Journal

    They don't want to reveal the methods and sources because that would expose the house of cards. You know, one person makes up some shit, leaks it to NYT and WAPO, then uses those stories for a press conference to generate more friendly media, then uses the massive amount of media coverage to justify a constitution bending level of surveillance, which sadly shows nothing but a few people get gotcha'ed on process issues like lying to the FBI and then they can tout those convictions as evidence of something nefarious.

    Starting Score:    1  point
    Karma-Bonus Modifier   +1  

    Total Score:   2