Senators Refer "Trump Dossier" Author For Criminal Investigation

Many details surrounding the now-infamous "Trump Dossier," from who funded it to how exactly it made it's way into the hands of the FBI and whether or not it was relied upon to secure FISA warrants to spy on members of Trump's campaign, are critical to determining whether partisan politics, or fact-based investigative work, drove the DOJ's initial efforts in its Russia probe.

Now, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC)  say they've uncovered what they believe is sufficient evidence to refer the author of the dossier, ex-MI6 spy Christopher Steele, to the Justice Department for an investigation of potential violations of 18 U.S.C. § 1001 for false statements about the distribution of claims contained in the dossier.

“I don’t take lightly making a referral for criminal investigation. But, as I would with any credible evidence of a crime unearthed in the course of our investigations, I feel obliged to pass that information along to the Justice Department for appropriate review,” Grassley said.

“Everyone needs to follow the law and be truthful in their interactions with the FBI. If the same actions have different outcomes, and those differences seem to correspond to partisan political interests, then the public will naturally suspect that law enforcement decisions are not on the up-and-up. Maybe there is some innocent explanation for the inconsistencies we have seen, but it seems unlikely. In any event, it’s up to the Justice Department to figure that out.”

“After reviewing how Mr. Steele conducted himself in distributing information contained in the dossier and how many stop signs the DOJ ignored in its use of the dossier, I believe that a special counsel needs to review this matter. The rule of Law depends on the government and all who work on its behalf playing by the rules themselves. I hope the Department of Justice will carefully review our letter and take appropriate action,” Graham said.

Steele

According to the letter, yesterday evening Grassley and Graham delivered to Senate Security a letter and classified memorandum for delivery to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and FBI Director Christopher Wray containing information that forms the basis of their referral, which they describe as follows:

Under 18 U.S.C. § 1001, individuals are prohibited from making false statements to the federal authorities of the United States. Grassley and Graham are referring Steele for making potentially false statements about the distribution of claims from the dossier.

This referral does not pertain to the veracity of claims contained in the dossier. The referral is for further investigation only, and is not intended to be an allegation of a crime.

It is the practice of the committee to notify the Justice Department whenever it comes across what appears to be credible evidence of a criminal violation that warrants further investigation by appropriate authorities based on information from any source, public or non-public.

In the interest of transparency, the senators and committee staff are working to redact all sensitive information in the classified memorandum sent to Rosenstein and Wray. If and when that process can be lawfully and appropriately completed in consultation with the Justice Department, an unclassified version of the memorandum will be released.

Of course, the only question is whether the alleged false statements made by Steele will result in the same punishment as that bestowed upon Michael Flynn or whether there is an exemption for false statements provided they were intended to harm the current administration.

Here is the full statement by Grassley and Graham:

 

sd

And here is the referral to the Deputy AG Rosenstein and FBI Director Wray:

d

Comments

bh2 Jan 5, 2018 2:34 PM

"individuals are prohibited from making false statements to the federal authorities of the United States."

Except, of course, for Clintons and their acolytes, who get an automatic free pass.

Sir Edge bh2 Jan 5, 2018 2:35 PM

.

""Everyone needs to follow the law and be truthful in their interactions with the FBI. If the same actions have different outcomes, and those differences seem to correspond to partisan political interests, then the public will naturally suspect that law enforcement decisions are not on the up-and-up""

right... and...

Yes... It's also called Honoring The Oath To The US Constitution every Elected Politician and every hired Federal Agent makes before assuming job responsibilities and executing any jurisdictional powers.

 

Edgey

In reply to by bh2

HippieHaulers nmewn Jan 5, 2018 3:11 PM

Let's see. A foreign intelligence agent colluded with Russian intelligence agents to produce a largely fabricated "dossier" used by a political candidate against her opponent. Said "dossier" also used by corrupt FBI in kangaroo FISA court to obtain warrant to wiretap said political candidate's opponent in her bid to rig election. Sounds a lot like Russian collusion to me.

In reply to by nmewn

Bes nmewn Jan 5, 2018 3:26 PM

meh,

at least half of the trumptards voted for Bush, and now, all of a sudden,

see what Bush did and hate is guts

i have no reservations that the same will apply to Zionis, Neocon, Goldman, Police State, MIC, Wall Street Bubble, FED bitch

Trump

In reply to by nmewn

Sid Davis Consuelo Jan 5, 2018 2:49 PM

That is the most reasonable explanation as to why Sessions is sitting on his thumbs.

Of course he is a lifelong bureaucrat / politician so you can figure there is a large dose of incompetence thrown into the mix, also.

In reply to by Consuelo

venturen Jan 5, 2018 2:34 PM

Hillary team knowingly broke the law at her direction...SHE SHOULD GO TO PRISON...and Obama was right there with her

NoDebt Jan 5, 2018 2:35 PM

"If the same actions have different outcomes, and those differences seem to correspond to partisan political interests, then the public will naturally suspect that law enforcement decisions are not on the up-and-up."

If you have been on ZH for any length of time you should have already disabused yourself of this quaint notion.

 

Dilluminati Jan 5, 2018 2:38 PM

The GOP has a clear win on this because there is a dual standard.  The democrats all said pre-election that HRC ethics were "baked-in" or that the voter was seeing past that.. and there is some truth to that.  However the GOP cleaning up the swamp?  That is like the action hero who goes after bad cops versus just rounding up the hookers.

So the GOP key members who can make good on this look good in 2018 because who doesn't like a person who holds authority to account?  And probably why the Clinton's slid along for ohh so long is that the public doen't expect much from attorneys and politicians, but they want the FBI to a different standard.

That's not actually fair.. but there you have it.

 

chubbar Dilluminati Jan 5, 2018 3:08 PM

I have some acquaintances who only get their news from CNN and MSNBC, they have no fucking clue about any of this. All they know is that Trump is a nut case and will likely get impeached. They are completely oblivious to any of the many crimes committed by DOJ, FBI and Clinton actors. That means there is widespread ignorance on this and that won't bode well once TSHTF on these crimes and people are charged. Possibly may lead to widespread civil disorder.

In reply to by Dilluminati

CultiVader chubbar Jan 5, 2018 3:19 PM

The streets will be filled with pussy hats and Antifa. The he peaceful ones can scream and the sky and wail and gnash their teeth until they go home for dinner. The rioters, vandals and violent criminals will be beaten down and arrested. I may take the week off to celebrate.

In reply to by chubbar

PGR88 Jan 5, 2018 2:39 PM

Shut down the FBI.  They have immense powers and are therefore subject to constant temptation towards political abuse.

Hoover, Felt, Freeh, Comey, Strzock all high level FBI who all clearly meddled in politics.

Consuelo Jan 5, 2018 2:41 PM

 

 

'Everyone needs to follow the law and be truthful with their interactions with the FBI'...

 

A-ha.   A-ha-ha.  A-ha-ha--BBBBBBBWWWHWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA....!!!!!!!!!!!

SHADEWELL Jan 5, 2018 2:43 PM

Hillary is depending on the Bill sponsored by Conyers and Franken, the Parkinson's STD Blood Clot Cunt & Gash exemption

Joebloinvestor Jan 5, 2018 2:43 PM

So does an immunity deal given by a corrupt organization still have standing when it is done to shield guilty parties?

I almost expect RICO charges against the FBI.

Bavarian Jan 5, 2018 2:45 PM

I think we'll learn a lot from interviewing Steele especially when faced with false statement charges.  Surely he can't verify these wild claims.

He'll be squawking like a Jay-bird.  The last thing the Obama administration wanted to see actually.  Good job, Grassley and curiously, Graham who must be compromised in some way.  I can't quite make out why his tune turned so suddenly.

Clock Crasher Jan 5, 2018 2:49 PM

We're losing credibility Sir!

Did they find out about JFK, Oklahoma City and 9/11?

Not really, no. 

Throw em a bread crumb.  Launch another "investigation". 

wmbz Jan 5, 2018 2:52 PM

"The rule of Law depends on the government and all who work on its behalf playing by the rules themselves. I hope the Department of Justice will carefully review our letter and take appropriate action,” Graham said.

~ Lindy Graham is an embarrassment to my state, and we have plenty of them here. This faggot asshole is a special case though. One limp wristed lying sack of shit, and like his asshole buddy McStain, gets off on sending other people to their deaths.

buzzsaw99 Jan 5, 2018 2:53 PM

no such thing as ex-MI6.  clearly the uk was meddling in the usa presidential election.  poorly i might add, like they do everything else.  i kind of wish bad things on them now.  i hope brexit is a disaster and all youse lose your jobs for starters.  that goes double for britbob, you sorry ai bastard.

Theos Jan 5, 2018 3:02 PM

im sure trump and the doj will get right on it.

 

im sure steele cut a deal with the fbi just like the coffeeboy did in exchange for more administration dirt.