Jerry Nadler asks DOJ to investigate former US Attorney Scott Brady for false testimony about Smirnov

[pnwmom]

at a House meeting in October 2023.

This is a press release from Nadler's office.

https://nadler.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=395117

In the letter to Garland and Horowitz, Nadler writes:

“During his October 23, 2023, transcribed interview before the Judiciary Committee, Mr. Brady repeatedly testified that he had vetted and found credible statements made by a confidential human source (CHS), now identified as Alexander Smirnov. Of course, on February 14, 2024, a federal grand jury in the Central District of California indicted Alexander Smirnov for making a false statement to the FBI and creating a false and fictitious record. Given what we now know about Mr. Smirnov, it seems unlikely that Mr. Brady actually verified any of the information Mr. Smirnov provided to the FBI. Mr. Brady’s testimony to the contrary does not appear to be a mere misstatement—his comments were deliberate, repeated, and detailed.

“Mr. Brady’s testimony before the Committee also sheds light on a much broader pattern of misconduct. During his interview, Mr. Brady stated that he directed the FBI to conduct the June 2020 interview with Mr. Smirnov, who is alleged to have ties to Russian intelligence, despite reluctance from FBI agents handling the matter. If true, then Mr. Brady appears to have been part of a deliberate attempt to launder foreign disinformation through the Department of Justice.”

A full copy of the letter can be read here. https://nadler.house.gov/uploadedfiles/jngarlandhorowitz.pdf

During his October 23, 2023, transcribed interview before the Judiciary Committee, Mr.
Brady repeatedly testified that he had vetted and found credible statements made by a
confidential human source (CHS), now identified as Alexander Smirnov.1 Of course, on February
14, 2024, a federal grand jury in the Central District of California indicted Alexander Smirnov
for making a false statement to the FBI and creating a false and fictitious record.2 Given what
we now know about Mr. Smirnov, it seems unlikely that Mr. Brady actually verified any of the
information Mr. Smirnov provided to the FBI. Mr. Brady’s testimony to the contrary does not
appear to be a mere misstatement—his comments were deliberate, repeated, and detailed.

Mr. Brady’s testimony before the Committee also sheds light on a much broader pattern
of misconduct. During his interview, Mr. Brady stated that he directed the FBI to conduct the
June 2020 interview with Mr. Smirnov, who is alleged to have ties to Russian intelligence,
despite reluctance from FBI agents handling the matter.3 If true, then Mr. Brady appears to have
been part of a deliberate attempt to launder foreign disinformation through the Department of
Justice.

And, according to his testimony, he was not acting alone. Mr. Brady told the Committee
that his investigation into matters relating to Hunter Biden and Ukraine was conducted at the
direction of then-Attorney General Bill Barr and then-Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen.4
Deputy Attorney General Rosen’s Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General (PADAG), Seth
DuCharme, instructed Mr. Brady to contact counsel for President Trump’s personal attorney,
Rudy Giuliani, in January 2020.5 Mr. Giuliani would later describe this work as “years-long
efforts to work with Ukrainians to dig up dirt on the Bidens.”

[blm]

1. Yep. This is a way bigger operation. TrumpWorld is up to their necks in it.

Last edited Fri Feb 23, 2024, 08:49 PM - Edit history (1)

[comradebillyboy]

2. I'd also like to know how long the Justice Department and FBI

have known that Smirnov was Russian asset and that his testimony was false. Both Garland and Wray need to address how this all came to pass.

[MOMFUDSKI]

3. Garland and Wray are not to be

trusted.

[Irish_Dem]

4. Can the DOJ and FBI be so stupid as not to recognize a Russian spy?

[RockRaven]

6. Too busy happily working with them?

[Irish_Dem]

8. Exactly. Russian spy was a hired consultant.

[peppertree]

19. As another Smirnov might put it...

[Evolve Dammit]

18. Exactly. Parnas was telling FBI 6 years ago this guy was a liar.

[RockRaven]

5. Unfortunately, even if the DOJ IG does anything, it will likely take years...

They don't have a reputation for lightning quick investigations.

[Irish_Dem]

9. Especially when the DOJ is part of the crime.

[RockRaven]

14. Yep. Protecting the dept/agency/institution always takes priority for

internal watchdogs. Justice and public interests are nice talking points but of secondary importance.

[Irish_Dem]

15. Especially when the law enforcement employees are the ones committing the crimes.

[gab13by13]

7. I did a thread on this from EmptyWheel

Garland needs an investigation of the investigation.

He may also need to investigate if Congressional Magats have been infiltrated by Russians.

[Irish_Dem]

10. IF Congressional Magats have been infiltrated by Russians.

That is a given. The question is does the DOJ care?
And have they been infiltrated by Russians too?

[Bluethroughu]

25. It is no longer IF, but WHEN.

[JohnSJ]

11. Sorry Jerry, those requests are only allowed from republicans

[gab13by13]

12. I don't want Smirnov

To put all the blame on Russians. Weiss, Rosen, Barr, Donahue are all complicit, they need to be investigated.
I bet they give Smirnov a sweetheart plea deal and he blames everything on Russians who are safe in Russia.
The entire investigation needs investigated.

[LiberalFighter]

13. It needs to be made part of campaigns against Republican candidates for Congress.

[moniss]

16. It is vitally important for

everyone to always keep in mind that the indictment of Smirnov as submitted to the court doesn't just make allegations or list charges. It contains narrative that supports the case. It specifically says that Smirnov claimed meetings and phone calls that the written record shows never took place. It specifically says that Smirnov changed his story about things several times over the years. It specifically says that Smirnov himself admitted to the FBI that he changed his story after meeting with Russian agents.

I don't need to see the media portray this as simply accusations. His own words. His own documents. He did these things. Of course a trial will draw out much more detail but the indictment made clear that the basis for the case and charges is ironclad.

[SunSeeker]

17. A LOT of people should go down for this fraud.

Including Republicans in Congress.

[Evolve Dammit]

20. Agreed. Now how do you get MSM to actually cover this as it deserves?

[AnrothElf]

21. Drop 'em both in an oubliette!

Then forget about 'em.

I WANT TO SEE SOME PUNISHMENT!!!

[blm]

22. Kicking. This story is HUGE. I think media is afraid of it.

Which means we have to keep pushing and spreading the info we have here ourselves for now.

[BadGimp]

23. They rearrested this Smirnov guy.

My first and current reaction is that he's gonna get "Epsteined".

He knows too much about the who, what, when, and how, which can expose much of the GOP Biden Impeachment machinery.

[bamagal62]

26. That was my first thought...

“He’s going to get Epsteined!”

[pnwmom]

27. He's probably safer in prison than loose somewhere else. We don't know what he looks like,

but Russia does, and he's no good to them anymore.

[Bluethroughu]

24. Revoke their government pensions, healthcare and freedom.

Kompromat. This is not Russia yet, GOP.
ESPIONAGE.

[Renew Deal]

28. This is going to be a tough one

Because unless someone specifically told him he was a russian agent, "vetting and fining credible" is subjective.

[lark]

29. The FBI is filled with MAGATS.

The head of the NY FBI was indicted for taking $250,000,000 from the RUSSIAN guy that tsf sent all the polling data to. He was the one who started the Hillary crap to help tsf. He's been arrested, but all his participating cohorts are still out there lying to help the right and hurt Dems. They obstructed tsf's investigation and likely threated Garland if he were to go after sitting congressional traitors. They gave tsf 2 years to hide and move around secret papers but filed against Biden after 5 days. FBI is not our friend and in too many cases are enemies of American democracy. I'm sure there's some good folks there, but there are others who need to be rooted out.