About Recently Arrested Charles McGonigal, former FBI Official for New York field office...

[Joinfortmill]

https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/january-23-2023
Heather Cox Richardson: Letters from an American


'On Saturday, authorities from the Department of Justice arrested Charles McGonigal...McGonigal worked for the FBI from 1996 to 2018...Director James Comey named McGonigal the head of counterintelligence for the FBI’s New York field office...McGonigal supervised and participated in investigations of Russian oligarchs...Charges against McGonigal—stem from his connection to Oleg Deripaska, a Russian oligarch close to Vladimir Putin (and)...Paul Manafort...convicted...of crimes associated with his ties to Russia. McGonigal is charged with violating sanctions by taking money from Deripaska to investigate one of his rivals, and with money laundering... of hiding multiple cash payments from a foreign intelligence official and of trying to get the sanctions on Deripaska removed.

While there is a lot we still don’t know, we do know that in 2018, Comey told Congress he worried that officials in the FBI’s New York field office had given Trump ally Rudy Giuliani sensitive information in the last days of the 2016 election, after Giuliani had said so in front of television cameras. We know that Comey told investigators that he released news of the reopened investigation of Clinton’s emails—against Department of Justice policy—out of concern that “people in New York” would leak that information. Former acting attorney general Sally Yates was clearer. She told the inspector general that Comey and other FBI officials “felt confident that the New York Field Office would leak it and that it would come out regardless of whether he advised Congress or not.”'

We also know that after McGonigal left the FBI, he went to work for Brookfield Properties, the multibillion-dollar real-estate company in New York that handled the bailout of Jared Kushner’s 666 Fifth Avenue by a $1.1 billion, 99-year lease—all paid up front—thanks to the Qatar Investment Authority...None of those things is currently on the table in the indictments, and they might not turn out to be significant. But my guess is that this case will continue to develop.

[2naSalit]

1. K&R

More confirmation of what we've already figured out.

[GoCubsGo]

2. Glad to see this story starting to get some traction.

It bumped the Biden documents bullshit out of the headlines on "Good Morning America" this morning. They weren't as good with the details as Ms. Cox-Richardson is, but I suspect we'll be hearing a steady drip of them from the MSM in the coming days.

My only fear about this is that the Right will tar the entire FBI with this asshole's crimes, further eroding any trust the people of this country might have in the FBI and DOJ.

[Justice matters.]

47. Well, the R_notrightbutcorrupt root for Putin and his oligarchs so...

fear no more.

[ancianita]

3. This is important, and gives the public more insight into the biases of the FBI, intentional or not.

[lindysalsagal]

4. Love to know how much of this Hilary knew about when they threw her election

Probably most of it....but she couldn't out them at the time.

[Irish_Dem]

20. She knew.

[bronxiteforever]

5. Kick & recommend Must read.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

6. How do these individuals get corrupted?

Were they always susceptible as they innately harbored a desire for power?
Were they set up and targeted by outside forces, honey-pots, debt?
Once embroiled, there was no way out?
(Their lives and lives of family being threatened...)

[Scrivener7]

14. These are the questions that stick in my head too. How do you get to be

someone who will do this?

One more possibility to add to your list is a Masters of the Universe complex: As they rise in power and are around others in power, they begin to see the level of power as the uniting factor among them. The level of their power replaces their national alliances and professional pledges.

I wonder if, once they hit a certain level, they convince themselves and each other that they are the Masters of the Universe and have earned the right to cooperate with the other Masters of the Universe to gather all the wealth and power.

[vlyons]

18. His greed for money obviously had something to do with his corruption

nt

[Rebl2]

26. Wonder if

he’s part of the Russian mob?

[BComplex]

31. How do these individuals get corrupted? Look at Fux Nooz and RW media.

Actually, the entire media is owned by the 1%. And they think fascism will simplify their lives. Once fascism is in place, they're going to show all these second amendment idiots how quickly they can take their guns...AND, of course, blame it on the "liberals".

[SunSeeker]

37. In his case, it appears to be the most common reason: money. nt

[Baitball Blogger]

7. Despicable pricks. All of them

This is like the Alito decision that was leaked for the purpose of keeping all the conservative judges on board for the overturning of Roe. Comey played right into the fear that someone would criticize him because he knew the FBI was compromised with a Russian asset favorable to Trump. Man didn’t have the balls to do the right thing. Now it’s obvious that his claim that he thought Hillary would win was an insincere deflection. Sorry, but this combination of wimpy public servants and crooked bad actors is creating serious problems for this country.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

33. This makes me wonder if there is Russian influence corrupting SCOTUS

Dark money seems to be very alluring.

Is it a secret amongst journo's and they stay away because
they would be threatened?

I'm rabbit hole'ing into a CT web

It's no wonder there are conspiracy theories.

[Baitball Blogger]

34. These people would make deals with the devil

To get what they want. That is the ugly truth. They are banding together, supporting each other’s wet dream. And since it will result in marginalizing the rest of us, it’s going to be rough going.

[SharonAnn]

36. I think it's the the religious zealots, most are Opus Dei, who are trying to force America into

I think it's the the religious zealots, most are Opus Dei, who are trying to force America into their world view.
Hierarchical, white male supremacy purportedly acting on "God's orders".

For those who don't know much about Opus Dei, it is a very real organization. Some very prominent members: Bill Barr, Leonard Leo, Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, John Roberts, and even Robert Hanssen (the FBI spy). There are many more in judicial and law enforcement roles. Many in the Federalist Society are Opus Dei members or followers. They promote their own in judicial careers.

They were started during Generalissimo Francisco Franco's reign in Spain and spread to the Americas. They were instrumental in Pinochet's coup in Chile, Fujimori's reign in Peru,etc.

They target the wealthy and the judicial system in a country. By controlling the judicial system they can get their "laws" supported and others "quashed". With support from the wealthy they can have influence.

They are a cult, misogynistic, and they're very secretive. Similar to Scientology in that way.

I have relatives who are numeraries and supernumeraries in Opus Dei. I know how they were recruited and "educated". They believe they are doing "God's Work" but all their work is really in supporting Opus Dei which is trying to take over world governments.

Lots of details I've learned, and all of them are disturbing. Their secrecy and lies about their work is alone enough to be suspicious.

[Evolve Dammit]

43. There are some very strange, secretive and destructive cults, some of which are very old.

I don't trust any cult members. Period.

[Hekate]

52. Thanks for a closer look. I only know what I've read, & it's very disturbing indeed...

The first I really knew of them was an in-depth article in a magazine that referenced growing speculation about (at that time) three or four members of the Court. Apparently the speculation was that Alito was the first in OD, then converted Roberts and Thomas. It was long enough ago that Scalia was still very much alive.

Although the author(s) of the article seemed sure of their facts, iirc they hedged their language, probably in order to avoid a lawsuit.

At this point, with a radical religious right majority on the Court, we are in deep trouble, whatever they call themselves.

[yellowcanine]

8. McGonigal may spill the beans on Russia gate.

The feds may finally have TFG by the balls on Russian collusion in 2016.

[SunSeeker]

38. Yup, hopefully he doesn't want to die in jail and will talk.

🤞

[Joinfortmill]

39. Exactly what I thought.

[triron]

45. Statute of limitations. Garfield (,oops garland) let it run out.

[3Hotdogs]

9. I'll wager two slices of Ray's pepperoni to one can of Diet Coke that Jared is not implicated.

He's a fine patriot who brought peace to the Middle East.

[WA-03 Democrat]

22. Don't forget all the PPE he secured for Covid!

Evil little fucker

[MayReasonRule]

23. Wiggling cigar...

“I have 14 children, Groucho”.

“You have 14 children? Why do you have so many kids?”

“Because I love my husband”.

“I love my cigar too, but I take it out of my mouth every once in a while.”

[Evolve Dammit]

44. Not taking that bet....

[JHB]

10. Point to remember: There were other ways of colluding with Trump besides leaks

We all of course remember Rudy Colludy on TV implying the investigation into Wiener's laptop was turning up explosive material, but we should also remember that was a charade: there was no such material on that hard drive. Nothing he said on TV came from the investigation.

However, the agents investigating the case dragged their heels about getting to the bottom of things and certifying what was and wasn't found on the disc. That gave RW media the time it needed to start a whisper campaign, amp it up to a shouting campaign, and take it nationwide 24/7 as a three-ring circus campaign.

With mainstream outlets eagerly repeating it all, because they wanted a "Clinton scandal" to finally be true just as much as the wingnuts did.

Would RW Hillary-hating agents help the Trump campaign in ways that don't leave fingerprints back to them? Comments about the Pope's religion and ursine latrine habits come to mind.

IIRC, former NY office head and Trump-lover James Kallstrom was mixed up in this too. People speculated that he was a conduit between the office and Rudy.

[The Wizard]

11. Send him to Uzbekistan for extraordinary rendition.

It's legal now according to Alberto Gonzalez.

[msfiddlestix]

24. You distilled these points perfectly. Kallstrom is a new name to me. I'll make a mental note

of it.. it will be interesting to see him implicated legally speaking, in future reports.

I'm wishing it's a huge tsunami of news uncovering all of the major players Not expecting it, and frankly it's looking so huge as to be damn near insurmountable with the best of intentions and concerted effort.

Holding to account Big Media from NYT to Cable news anchors etc etc.

[JHB]

27. He was most famous for leading the TWA Flight 800 investigation.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TWA_Flight_800

Dies in 2021.

[msfiddlestix]

29. Interesting,hmm. that's another event leading to a lot of CT speculation as I recall.

I don't have much time at the moment to research the facts, but I feel like that case was never quite resolved in terms of 'who dunned'

I do recall it took years to piece the plane together in some huge warehouse, I guess it remains in place.

But no recollection of any reporting on who the peeps were determined to be.

[Just Jerome]

12. Almost like "The Americans"

That tv show from a few years back.

Except worse by a couple of orders of magnitude

[msfiddlestix]

25. I was addicted to that show. watched during the first year of tfg installment in the WH

[niyad]

13. Colour me sooooooo NOT surprised.

[70sEraVet]

15. Was Rudy describing the corruption of McGonigal as a 'Revolution' inside the FBI?

Giuliani called in to a radio show shortly after the news broke to describe the “revolution” he said was going on inside the FBI because of the decision to close the Clinton probe. “I know that from former agents,” he said. “I know that even from a few active agents who obviously don’t want to identify themselves.”

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/08/was-the-fbi-leaking-to-rudy-giuliani

I have a feeling there's going to be LOT of Russian cash revealed in the coming months, cash that has found its way into the pockets of many powerful people!

[orangecrush]

41. +1

[Historic NY]

16. NY FBI is Trumpland that was the headline

The currently serving FBI agent said Clinton is “the antichrist personified to a large swath of FBI personnel,” and that “the reason why they’re leaking is they’re pro-Trump.”

Google it

[link:https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2016/11/03/fbi-is-trumpland/10346267007/|]


[link:https://www.thedailybeast.com/meet-donald-trumps-top-fbi-fanboy|]



[link:https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/news/a50306/fbi-email-giuliani/|]

[dlk]

17. It appears that every media outlet that screamed for weeks and months on end about Hillary's emails

Were actually aiding a Russian conspiracy to interfere with and affect the outcome of a U.S. presidential election. Putin certainly exacted his revenge, and with American media assistance, no less.

[Irish_Dem]

19. So Kushner is funded by both Russia and Saudi?

[cilla4progress]

21. WAPO - NOTHING

on this story!

[bpj62]

28. Money or Honey pots

Russia is notorious for exploiting money issues like a gambling addiction. The other one is getting the individual involved in a sexual relationship with a Russian agent and then use that against them.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

30. The NYT and this FBI agent helped TFG win in 2016

I was at a law firm doing a video conference for voter protection when this announcement was made. I had an associate with me who was getting some CLE for this training and I saw that he was upset during the course. On the way back to the office, I was told about Comey announcing the reopening of the Clinton email investigation. That reopening with the NYT article that the FBI found no connection between Russia and TFG were the final nails.

The NYT is not a real news organization and the NYC office of the FBI was full of Clinton haters some of whom were working directly for Russia

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[asiliveandbreathe]

51. This is full of important information ..may I request you make your post

an OP of its own..especially when the NYT is now trying to clean up their act by way of the Barr/Durham piece...

.as you point out..The NYT is not a real news organization, and the NYC office of the FBI was full of Clinton haters some of whom were working directly for Russia..with the tweet..FBI sees no link with the pos and russia..

From a tweet by Emptywheel..The lesson of NYT piece is Barr had wild success at manipulating the press and w/exception of NYT, no one is unwinding that.

https://democraticunderground.com/100217595773

You have done a yeomans job..thank you..

[2naSalit]

53. +1

[TeamProg]

32. K&R Thanks for posting. n/t

[Postal Grunt]

35. Remember Peter Stzrok?

IIRC, he was part of team that investigated Russian and Ukrainian mobs in NYC. Maybe I'm going down a rabbit hole here but it isn't too far of a stretch to suspect that was one of the, if not the main reason the TFG went after him with a vengeance.

[Joinfortmill]

40. Excellent point.

[orangecrush]

42. Yes

Putin has a long reach.

"In June and July 2017, Strzok worked on Robert Mueller's Special Counsel investigation into any links or coordination between Donald Trump's presidential campaign and the Russian government.[10][5][7] In July 2017, Mueller removed Strzok from the Russia investigation after text message exchanges between Strzok and FBI lawyer Lisa Page contained criticisms of Trump and his supporters.[11][12] News of the text messages led Trump, Republican congressmen and right-wing media to speculate that Strzok participated in a conspiracy to undermine the Trump presidency.[13][14][15][16]

On August 10, 2018, FBI deputy director David Bowdich fired Strzok for the text messages after the FBI's employee disciplinary office had recommended that Strzok only be suspended for 60 days and demoted.[2] On August 6, 2019, Strzok filed a wrongful termination suit against the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice, asking to be reinstated and awarded back pay. He asserted in the suit that his text messages were "protected political speech", and that the termination violated his First Amendment rights.[17] In September 2020, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt published Strzok's book, Compromised: Counterintelligence and the Threat of Donald J. Trump,[18] which became a New York Times and Washington Post bestseller.[19][2"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Strzok

[Mr.Bill]

46. I'm optimistically thinking

that Garland is on to something way bigger than we thought and McGonigal is up to his ears in it. And so is Trump and everyone around him.

[Joinfortmill]

48. I wondered that too.

[calimary]

49. What's that saying about "what a tangled web we weave"?

Sheesh.

This just gets ickier and ickier.

[liberalla]

50. K&R. Important to remember.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

54. The NYT should tell readers whether it helped crooked FBI agents get Trump elected in 2016

The combination of the NYT and crooked FBI agents got TFG elected. I canceled my subscription to the NYT back in 2016 due to the biased coverage. The NYT is not a real news organization and actually worked with the NYC office of the FBI to elect TFG

Link to tweet

https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/mcgonigal-russian-oligarch-trump-2016-election-20230129.html

It was arguably the most consequential “October Surprise” in the history of American presidential elections. In the waning days of the 2016 race, with polls showing Hillary Clinton clinging to a lead over Donald Trump, two last-minute stories broke that rekindled on-the-fence voters’ ethical doubts about Democrat Clinton and quashed a budding scandal around her GOP rival.

Except the “October Surprise” was no surprise to one key player: Rudolph Giuliani, the ex-New York mayor and Trump insider who later became the 45th president’s attorney. Late that month, Giuliani told Fox News that the trailing Republican nominee had “a surprise or two that you’re going to hear about in the next few days. I mean, I’m talking about some pretty big surprises.”

Just two days later, then-FBI director James Comey revealed the bureau had reopened its probe into Clinton’s emails, based on the possible discovery of new communications on a laptop belonging to disgraced New York politico Anthony Weiner. The news jolted the campaign with a particularly strong boost from the New York Times, which devoted two-thirds of its front page to the story — and the notion it was a major blow to Clinton’s prospects.

It was later reported that Comey was motivated to make the unusual announcement about the laptop because he feared leaks from the FBI’s New York field office, which, according to Reuters, had “a faction of investigators based in the office known to be hostile to Hillary Clinton.” Indeed, Giuliani bragged immediately after that he had sources in the FBI, including current agents.

Link to tweet

......The government allegations against the former G-man Charles McGonigal (also accused of taking a large foreign payment while still on the FBI payroll) and the outsized American influence of the sanctioned-and-later-indicted Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska — also tied to U.S. pols from Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort to Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell — should make us also look again at what was really up with the FBI in 2016.

How coordinated was the effort in that New York field office to pump up the ultimate nothingburger about Clinton’s emails while poo-pooing the very real evidence of Russian interference on Trump’s behalf, and who were the agents behind it? What was the role, if any, of McGonigal and his international web of intrigue? Was the now-tainted McGonigal a source who told the New York Times that fateful October that Russia was not trying to help Trump win the election — before the U.S. intelligence community determined the exact opposite? If not McGonigal, just who was intentionally misleading America’s most influential news org, and why?......

It’s not only that America’s so-called paper of record has never apologized for its over-the-top coverage of the Clinton emails or the deeply flawed story about the FBI Trump-Russia probe. It’s that the Times has shown a stunning lack of curiosity about finding out what went wrong. In May 2017, or just seven months after Trump’s election, then-Times executive editor Dean Baquet ended the position of public editor, an independent journalist who was embedded in the newsroom to cover controversies exactly like these.