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Amaryllis

(9,523 posts)
Sun Feb 25, 2018, 10:02 PM Feb 2018

FBI investigating NRA to determine if Russians laundered money through NRA to Trump campaign

Why are people not talking more about this? This is very much part of the Trump/Russia investigation. Thank you, Senator Wyden, for continuing to insist on following the money.

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/15/nra-russia-and-trump-money-laundering-poisoning-us-democracy-commentary.html

NRA, Russia and Trump: How 'dark money' is poisoning American democracy

The FBI is investigating the National Rifle Association to determine whether Russians illegally funneled money through the organization to help the Trump campaign.
Beyond Russian meddling, this allegation illustrates a problem of even broader scope in our political system.



As American communities continue to be victimized by gun violence — including the mass shooting yesterday, in Parkland, Florida — the National Rifle Association continues to wield immense influence over American legislators, primarily through enormous campaign contributions.

But when it comes to funding, the NRA may have finally gone too far: the FBI recently launched an investigation to determine whether a Russian central banker, and Putin ally, illegally funneled money through the organization to help the Trump campaign.

These allegations have prompted a complaint to the Federal Election Commission and an effort by Sen. Ron Wyden to obtain documents from the Treasury Department and the NRA. As shocking as other Russia-related revelations have been — attempts to hack voting machines, vast Internet propaganda, leaking of stolen campaign information — this allegation illustrates a problem of even broader scope.

Although much of the reporting on Russia has focused on whether there was "collusion" with the Trump campaign — a genuine concern — the investigation is also revealing another disquieting reality: that American democracy has a money laundering problem.

Both in their personal finances and in their campaign support, politicians are relying on money hidden to the public, money which threatens to make them answerable to interests beyond those of the citizens they represent. The only way to combat this problem is to start shining a light on the dark corners of our politics.

In the most conventional sense, money laundering describes the process by which illicit funds are made to appear legitimate in origin, so they do not attract the suspicion of law enforcement.

Lots more at link.
Seriously, guys, why are there not more people talking about this in light of all the attention on the NRA after Parkland? I remember something on Rachel about it (I think?) and hearing some things about it here a few weeks or so ago, but this seems to be completely missing from the narrative on gun violence and the NRA.

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FBI investigating NRA to determine if Russians laundered money through NRA to Trump campaign (Original Post) Amaryllis Feb 2018 OP
Many NRA links here.....like this: Gabi Hayes Feb 2018 #1
Here's another article that I saw posted from NY Mag. BigmanPigman Feb 2018 #17
It just seems like this would be resurrected in light of all the newfound attention on NRA with Amaryllis Feb 2018 #20
the only reason that is isn't a story is because 1500 radio stations working for the kremlin certainot Feb 2018 #40
It's about 1 million times worse now than in 2000. BigmanPigman Feb 2018 #42
Makes me feel sick, too sweetroxie Feb 2018 #57
This is what happens when we allow legalized bribery of our politicians! Dustlawyer Feb 2018 #62
I never thought of that. BigmanPigman Feb 2018 #73
We are no longer seen as "leader" of anything... Moostache Feb 2018 #75
I've been screaming about talk radio for years HootieMcBoob Feb 2018 #60
if they can't read or watch it they'd have to listen to it. so it's invisible certainot Feb 2018 #63
You are not alone brother. olegramps Feb 2018 #67
You and me both, my friend. calimary Feb 2018 #70
Links? Do not forget the South Dakota (Sens Rounds and Thune) GOP... IthinkThereforeIAM Feb 2018 #65
There is only one solution. Democrats must regain control of government. olegramps Feb 2018 #71
Follow the 💴 UpInArms Feb 2018 #2
Follow the Yellow Brick Road...of money. Honeycombe8 Feb 2018 #26
To Prevent This In The Future We Need To Take Money.... global1 Feb 2018 #3
+1. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Feb 2018 #8
+1 uponit7771 Feb 2018 #14
The only thing that'll change anything. mountain grammy Feb 2018 #32
We need some more liberal judges to overturn it IronLionZion Feb 2018 #33
We need to support https://represent.us/ Pacifist Patriot Feb 2018 #59
Oh, please let it be so... pangaia Feb 2018 #4
YES! Wouldn't that be great. bitterross Feb 2018 #22
And also that foul mouthed woman, whatever her name is... Loesch... pangaia Feb 2018 #24
she was on This Week w/ George Steph... this morning dweller Feb 2018 #51
No kidding They_Live Feb 2018 #66
I'll be surprised if they didn't. n/t GoCubsGo Feb 2018 #5
Given that Putin wants to sow discord and chaos...very efficient way to do it. Amaryllis Feb 2018 #6
Yep. GoCubsGo Feb 2018 #7
Do you remember at that time there were warnings of how Citizens United opened the way for Amaryllis Feb 2018 #10
Yep. That is what Scalito was mouthing "Not true" over. GoCubsGo Feb 2018 #15
Won't that be some sweet damn Crow to feed his ignorant ass? Volaris Feb 2018 #31
In a just world, this would be grounds for impeachment of the five who voted for that monstrosity. GoCubsGo Feb 2018 #37
Was that the wrong thing to do? ffr Feb 2018 #9
Why isn't this talked about more? Because EVERY DAY sometimes multiple times a day, napi21 Feb 2018 #11
Good point. I remember that with Bush too; just don't address it and the next thing will come along Amaryllis Feb 2018 #13
Yes, so true. Silver1 Feb 2018 #53
In one fell swoop.... spanone Feb 2018 #12
+1,000 malaise Feb 2018 #56
Citizens United.... magicarpet Feb 2018 #16
Wallets are people and they have free speech. Amaryllis Feb 2018 #18
I called that one. Baitball Blogger Feb 2018 #19
Whoa! "The NRA is among the largest 'dark money' organizations" Kablooie Feb 2018 #21
Let me see, who is an indicted expert money launderer with Russia and Ukraine connections? Hmmmm... Fred Sanders Feb 2018 #29
Who could that possibly be? None of us have ANY ideas, I'm sure. Amaryllis Feb 2018 #30
K&R UCmeNdc Feb 2018 #23
Traitors & terrorists samir.g Feb 2018 #25
Tax exempt! N/T Zoonart Feb 2018 #27
Because there has been so much going on. Now maybe THIS can be discussed. Honeycombe8 Feb 2018 #28
Someone will try to tell you it's off topic....... lindysalsagal Feb 2018 #35
LOL. nt Honeycombe8 Feb 2018 #41
Pleeeeease. PLEEEEEEEEEASE. Ill never ask for anything ever again. nolabear Feb 2018 #34
So, if the fbi finds they broke the law, can they be shut down????? lindysalsagal Feb 2018 #36
I read an article in the New Yorker about Marion Hammer mountain grammy Feb 2018 #38
Russia is using the American right to destroy our country. IluvPitties Feb 2018 #39
...and doing a damned efficient job at it.... eom lastlib Feb 2018 #43
K&R Scurrilous Feb 2018 #44
I would LOVE to the the NRA GO DOWN !!!!!!!!!!!!! vkkv Feb 2018 #45
Enforce Law & Order on SCAM OPERATIONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! vkkv Feb 2018 #46
Even though seeing Shithole and the NRA go down would be enough for me... Dopers_Greed Feb 2018 #47
This is definitely an international operation. Amaryllis Feb 2018 #48
The Big Orange Head will not be happy Az_lefty Feb 2018 #49
I'm willing to bet the money trail goes far deeper Major Nikon Feb 2018 #50
Of course they did. C Moon Feb 2018 #52
Kick dalton99a Feb 2018 #54
Good timing... TomVilmer Feb 2018 #55
I think this is why the Memo stories are back burnered... hexola Feb 2018 #58
Have to wonder if companies abandoning the NRA are using the shooting for cover hexola Feb 2018 #61
Well, that could be an interesting money trail. malthaussen Feb 2018 #64
Treason. poboy2 Feb 2018 #68
The NRA Only Has 5 Million Members DallasNE Feb 2018 #69
K n R FailureToCommunicate Feb 2018 #72
I love the way Colbert referred to LaPierre as geardaddy Feb 2018 #74
About effing time! nt TwistOneUp Feb 2018 #76
Was discussed on MSNBC marybourg Feb 2018 #77
That is heartening! WHich show? Amaryllis Feb 2018 #78
Whatever is on between 10:00-10:45 MST. marybourg Feb 2018 #79

Amaryllis

(9,523 posts)
20. It just seems like this would be resurrected in light of all the newfound attention on NRA with
Sun Feb 25, 2018, 11:00 PM
Feb 2018

Parkland, and the town hall, but I have seen nothing recently? Have you?

 

certainot

(9,090 posts)
40. the only reason that is isn't a story is because 1500 radio stations working for the kremlin
Sun Feb 25, 2018, 11:39 PM
Feb 2018

are not howling about it, as they would if the russians were pumping money through planned parenthood. or some russian was seen leaving a planned parenthood facility.

remember in 2000 when 1500 radio stations suggested with nothing to go on that all gore and the dems were in cahoots with the chinese selling them missile technology or something and they tar and feather an asian american scientist at los alamos or spying for china while tying gore to some budhist group etc and suggest bill richardson is tainted - all to stop richardson as gore VP choice because that would have pulled all the hispanic vote from george bush? it was all made possible with talk radio, and because the idiot dems ignore it it is still working its magic.

BigmanPigman

(51,432 posts)
42. It's about 1 million times worse now than in 2000.
Sun Feb 25, 2018, 11:44 PM
Feb 2018

I feel sick with the corruption in this country (political and financial go hand in hand). We don't deserve to be a so called "world leader" at this point.

Dustlawyer

(10,493 posts)
62. This is what happens when we allow legalized bribery of our politicians!
Mon Feb 26, 2018, 10:28 AM
Feb 2018

We no longer have Representative Democracy, they represent Donors!

The FBI should look at the US Chamber of Commerce. I would expect to find they received a lot of Russian money as well!

BigmanPigman

(51,432 posts)
73. I never thought of that.
Mon Feb 26, 2018, 03:50 PM
Feb 2018

I bet they have a "wealth" of documentation for Mueller and the Fake News press (CNN, etc) would find it very interesting if it were made public.

Moostache

(9,895 posts)
75. We are no longer seen as "leader" of anything...
Mon Feb 26, 2018, 06:13 PM
Feb 2018

We are a laughing stock, the butt of endless diplomatic drinking games and jokes ("Ok...everyone has to do a shot whenever Trump says 'no collusion' or 'believe me'....HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!&quot .

There is no American soft power because we have no functioning State Department at all...
There is no respect for the President because our current occupant of the office is unworthy of even a cordial greeting, let alone respect.

There is only the gaping hole in global leadership being filled by the Germans, the Chinese and the Russians as they have decided the 21st century power center will be in Beijing and they want seats at the table to decide their fates and to divide the world's remaining resources among themselves...

HootieMcBoob

(3,823 posts)
60. I've been screaming about talk radio for years
Mon Feb 26, 2018, 09:27 AM
Feb 2018

and can not understand why The Democratic Party won't take it seriously.

olegramps

(8,200 posts)
67. You are not alone brother.
Mon Feb 26, 2018, 01:30 PM
Feb 2018

The takeover of the radio stations by the right-wing fascists was compliments of Regan when corporations were allowed to own multiple outlets. At this time the FCC is going to go even further handing Sinclair rights to a monopoly. Daily over 25,000 hours of extreme right-wing propaganda is broadcast in comparison to 2500 hours of progressive programing. This does no include FOX News.

IthinkThereforeIAM

(3,072 posts)
65. Links? Do not forget the South Dakota (Sens Rounds and Thune) GOP...
Mon Feb 26, 2018, 11:26 AM
Feb 2018

... They have been working together for a few years now. Inviting operatives to the Young Republicans summer retreat, bringing them to the largest vo-tech school in the region to speak on... whatever.

[link:http://dakotafreepress.com/2017/03/27/maria-butina-connects-russians-nra-trump-sibby-and-mathew-wollman/|

And Paul Erickson seems to show up right in the middle of the nastiest and underhanded tactics, an originator if you will, going back to 1980 and illegally swiping mailing/address/phone number lists:

[link:http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/trump-putin-and-erickson-russia-probe-just-another-chapter-in/article_e9ed9038-3411-5112-86fa-f64bb0fa6549.html#tracking-source=home-top-story|

olegramps

(8,200 posts)
71. There is only one solution. Democrats must regain control of government.
Mon Feb 26, 2018, 01:39 PM
Feb 2018

This includes, most importantly local and state government, as well as federal government. It is imperative that we destroy the Republican Party which has metamorphosed into a cancer that is destroying the nation. They are espousing outright fascist propaganda in direct imitation of the Nazi who took over German and Italy. Trump is a filthy lying demagogue whose is scapegoating minorities just as Hitler used the anti-Semitism to come to power. Read the history. It is an identical situation.

Honeycombe8

(37,648 posts)
26. Follow the Yellow Brick Road...of money.
Sun Feb 25, 2018, 11:17 PM
Feb 2018

It answers everything. Nothing can be done without the m-o-n-e-y.

IronLionZion

(45,269 posts)
33. We need some more liberal judges to overturn it
Sun Feb 25, 2018, 11:27 PM
Feb 2018

GOP had been stalling on filling open positions on federal courts during Obama's second term and Trump has been stacking the courts with young dumb RW extremists, to lifetime appointments.

It's an uphill battle for us.

 

bitterross

(4,066 posts)
22. YES! Wouldn't that be great.
Sun Feb 25, 2018, 11:08 PM
Feb 2018

If we could see LaPierre and 45 go down at the same time that would be so great. The NRA out of business would be a wonderful thing.

dweller

(23,562 posts)
51. she was on This Week w/ George Steph... this morning
Mon Feb 26, 2018, 12:33 AM
Feb 2018

I could only stomach about 47 secs of her diatribe, she reminds me of the batshit crazy Michelle Malkin

make her go away!

GoCubsGo

(32,061 posts)
7. Yep.
Sun Feb 25, 2018, 10:43 PM
Feb 2018

Got to wonder if Roberts, et al., had this kind of thing in mind when they decided that "money is free speech." I can still picture that fuck, Alito, mouthing, "That's not true" when President Obama warned us of the perils of their "Citizens United" decision. I just want to punch him in his rotten face.

Amaryllis

(9,523 posts)
10. Do you remember at that time there were warnings of how Citizens United opened the way for
Sun Feb 25, 2018, 10:46 PM
Feb 2018

foreign govts to influence our elections?

GoCubsGo

(32,061 posts)
37. In a just world, this would be grounds for impeachment of the five who voted for that monstrosity.
Sun Feb 25, 2018, 11:31 PM
Feb 2018

napi21

(45,806 posts)
11. Why isn't this talked about more? Because EVERY DAY sometimes multiple times a day,
Sun Feb 25, 2018, 10:46 PM
Feb 2018

another new conman story hits the news. Sometimes it's his tweets, sometimes new info out of the Mueller Camp, sometimes a new accusation from some hooker. What I mean is there's never time to expound on the story of yesterday because another new one has already taken it's place.

I think that's all part of the conman's methods...through so many balls in the air at once so no single story has a chance to stick.

Amaryllis

(9,523 posts)
13. Good point. I remember that with Bush too; just don't address it and the next thing will come along
Sun Feb 25, 2018, 10:48 PM
Feb 2018

to distract from it, but that was so minuscule compared to now. STill, I 'd think that with so much attention on the NRA right now, it would come up more than it has.

Silver1

(721 posts)
53. Yes, so true.
Mon Feb 26, 2018, 01:17 AM
Feb 2018

This is dangerous. People become immune to what's going on and eventually nothing shocks anyone. It's like some kind of numbing vaccination. What to do?

magicarpet

(13,945 posts)
16. Citizens United....
Sun Feb 25, 2018, 10:58 PM
Feb 2018

...... Where the strength of your voice
is dictated by the thickness of your wallet.

Kablooie

(18,572 posts)
21. Whoa! "The NRA is among the largest 'dark money' organizations"
Sun Feb 25, 2018, 11:06 PM
Feb 2018
The NRA is among the largest "dark money" organizations, reporting the greatest amount of campaign spending without revealing the source of the funds — over $35 million in the 2016 election cycle alone. Still, this amount was just a fraction of the over $175 million in reported campaign-related spending that came from unknown sources.

---

Sounds like they need a good laundering by the FBI themselves.
Sheesh!

Fred Sanders

(23,946 posts)
29. Let me see, who is an indicted expert money launderer with Russia and Ukraine connections? Hmmmm...
Sun Feb 25, 2018, 11:20 PM
Feb 2018

"But when it comes to funding, the NRA may have finally gone too far: the FBI recently launched an investigation to determine whether a Russian central banker, and Putin ally, illegally funneled money through the organization to help the Trump campaign."

Honeycombe8

(37,648 posts)
28. Because there has been so much going on. Now maybe THIS can be discussed.
Sun Feb 25, 2018, 11:19 PM
Feb 2018

It dovetails with the recent Russian indictments, Manafort indictments, and other news.

But there is no result of any investigation. There is just an investigation. The FBI investigates a lot of things. We'll see what happens.

mountain grammy

(26,573 posts)
38. I read an article in the New Yorker about Marion Hammer
Sun Feb 25, 2018, 11:32 PM
Feb 2018

the NRA lobbyist in Florida for decades. Our legislators aren't writing gun laws, the NRA is. It's obscene how much power these unelected lobbyists have over American lives.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/03/05/the-nra-lobbyist-behind-floridas-pro-gun-policies

Dopers_Greed

(2,640 posts)
47. Even though seeing Shithole and the NRA go down would be enough for me...
Mon Feb 26, 2018, 12:17 AM
Feb 2018

This could end up being even bigger.

Hopefully this investigation will bring about the end of dark money in politics.

Major Nikon

(36,814 posts)
50. I'm willing to bet the money trail goes far deeper
Mon Feb 26, 2018, 12:28 AM
Feb 2018

It's probably going to involve other tax exempt entities like churches. It's cheaper to buy politicians in Russia, but not by much and you just have to be more creative with third parties. Ironically Trump was elected on the promise of draining the swamp and there seems to be a pretty good chance of doing just that, but not nearly as he intended.

TomVilmer

(1,832 posts)
55. Good timing...
Mon Feb 26, 2018, 05:01 AM
Feb 2018

It is kind of lucky this cleanup is happening with Trump as president, and not with a a Democrat in charge. Then this would have looked like a full attack on the losing political side with misuse of presidential powers etc. Happily Trump has not been able to make any of his Benghazi-like fantasies work IRL!

 

hexola

(4,835 posts)
58. I think this is why the Memo stories are back burnered...
Mon Feb 26, 2018, 08:17 AM
Feb 2018

This IS the Memo story now - its all coming together...

I see these investigations colliding soon.

 

hexola

(4,835 posts)
61. Have to wonder if companies abandoning the NRA are using the shooting for cover
Mon Feb 26, 2018, 09:47 AM
Feb 2018

And this story is REALLY why they are distancing themselves.

malthaussen

(17,066 posts)
64. Well, that could be an interesting money trail.
Mon Feb 26, 2018, 11:22 AM
Feb 2018

Russians give money to NRA, NRA uses it to buy politicians who will do Russia's will. Elegant.

-- Mal

DallasNE

(7,392 posts)
69. The NRA Only Has 5 Million Members
Mon Feb 26, 2018, 01:33 PM
Feb 2018

Many of those are lifetime members. That means their dues are only a small part of the money they spend so the bulk of their money is unregulated dark money. We have presumed that this meant gun manufacturers. That presumption needs some work, including legislative work so the existing laws are enforced as written.

marybourg

(12,540 posts)
79. Whatever is on between 10:00-10:45 MST.
Mon Feb 26, 2018, 09:14 PM
Feb 2018

That's my daily window into cable news, when I visit my DH in his assisted living each day. For some reason that seems to be the time when the most important story of the day is discussed. Was it Andrea Mitchell? I recall seeing her face, but I turn the sound off when I arrive, and just look at the closed captioning every few minutes, to get the gist of the story and still be able to talk to my DH.

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