bripat9643
Diamond Member
- Apr 1, 2011
- 170,163
- 47,312
Conspiracy against the US was count one in both indictments and IMO will be the for all of them.
Conspiracy': 'a secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful.'
Sorta like:
Buying a fake report filled with Russia-generated propaganda from a foreign agent through a firm linked to / known to work for Russia in order to use it illegally against the opposition in a US election?
Like conspiring together to protect Russia from known criminal allegations, hiding the evidence, & taking bribes / money to ensure the purchase of US uranium from a foreign nation known to be 'hostile' to the US goes through?
A collaborated effort to protect a proven criminal who jeopardized national security from indictment and prosecution?
No.
Sorta like:
The first allegation against Paul Manafort and Rick Gates is "conspiracy against the United States".
But what does it mean?
The detail is spelled out in the US Code of Laws - Title 18, Chapter 19, Section 371.
What does the law say?
Firstly, you cannot be charged with conspiracy alone. The law is used against "two or more people" - in this case, Mr Manafort and Mr Gates.
Secondly, the law is broad. It can be used against a group who "commit any offense against the United States, or to defraud the United States, or any agency thereof in any manner or for any purpose".
In a 1924 case, Hammerschmidt v. United States, Chief Justice William Taft (who was US President from from 1909 to 1913) defined "defraud".
"To conspire to defraud the United States means primarily to cheat the Government out of property or money," he said.
"But it also means to interfere with or obstruct one of its lawful governmental functions by deceit, craft or trickery, or at least by means that are dishonest."
The last paragraph says it all. Colluding with a foreign power to influence our election certainly fits that criteria very well.
What is the punishment?
A maximum of five years in prison. "If found guilty, each shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both," the law says.
The maximum fine is $250,000 (or $500,000 for organisations).
But - if found guilty of other offences - longer sentences can apply.
So you are declaring that...
Buying a fake report filled with Russia-generated propaganda from a foreign agent through a firm linked to / known to work for Russia in order to use it illegally against the opposition in a US election...
Like conspiring together to protect Russia from known criminal allegations, hiding the evidence, & taking bribes / money to ensure the purchase of US uranium from a foreign nation known to be 'hostile' to the US goes through...
A collaborated effort to protect a proven criminal who jeopardized national security from indictment and prosecution...
...are NOT Conspiracies?
Bwuhahahaha......
Those aren't even real allegations. They only exist in the fever swamp.
What makes an allegation "real?" If it comes from a Democrat?