• Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Law Officer
Law Officer
No Result
View All Result

Ex-FBI attorney to plead guilty in first criminal case arising from investigation of Russia probe

Kevin Clinesmith

Ex-FBI attorney Kevin Clinesmith. (Screenshot FOX News)

August 14, 2020
Law OfficerbyLaw Officer
Share and speak up for justice, law & order...

Former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith will plead guilty to making a false statement in the first criminal case arising from U.S. Attorney John Durham’s review of the investigation into links between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign, two sources close to the matter tell FOX News.

Clinesmith was referred for potential prosecution by the Justice Department’s inspector general’s office, which conducted its own review of the Russia investigation.

Specifically, the inspector general accused Clinesmith, though not by name, of altering an email about former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page to say that he was “not a source” for another government agency. Page has said he was a source for the CIA. The DOJ relied on that assertion as it submitted a third and final renewal application in 2017 to eavesdrop on Page under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

Clinesmith is being charged in federal court in Washington and is expected to plead guilty to one count of making a false statement, his attorney Justin Shur told The Associated Press

“Kevin deeply regrets having altered the email. It was never his intent to mislead the court or his colleagues as he believed the information he relayed was accurate. But Kevin understands what he did was wrong and accepts responsibility,” Shur later said in a statement.

The Justice Department’s charging document stated that Clinesmith “did willfully and knowingly make and use a false writing and document, knowing the same to contain a materially false, fictitious, and fraudulent statement and entry in a matter before the jurisdiction of the executive branch and judicial branch of the Government of the United States.”

  • JUDGE DENIES DA PAUL HOWARD’S ATTEMPT TO OBTAIN DETAILS OF DONORS FOR ACCUSED ATLANTA OFFICER

The document said he altered another official’s June 2017 email to say Page (referred to as “Individual #1”) was “not a source” when the original email did not contain those words, FOX reported.

The filing said another official took Clinesmith’s altered email, relied on it, and signed and submitted the renewed FISA application to the FISA Court.

“The application for FISA #4 did not include Individual #1’s history or status with the OGA [other government agency],” the document read.

Durham was appointed by Attorney General Bill Barr last year to investigate the origins of the FBI’s original Russia probe, shortly after former Special Counsel Robert Mueller completed his years-long investigation into whether the campaign colluded with the Russians to influence the 2016 presidential election.

Durham’s timeline was focused on July 2016, when the FBI’s original Russia probe began, through the appointment of Mueller in May 2017.

  • DAUGHTER OF FALLEN OFFICER RECEIVES HATEFUL LETTER FROM BLACK LIVES MATTER FOR FLYING BLUE LINE FLAG

Mueller’s investigation yielded no evidence of criminal conspiracy or coordination between the Trump campaign and Russian officials during the 2016 election.

The development Friday comes amid much speculation, and even a tip-off by Barr, who said on Fox News’ “Hannity” that there would be a “development” in the investigation, teasing that it wouldn’t be “earth-shattering,” but would be “an indication that things are moving along at the proper pace as dictated by the facts in this investigation.”

“There are two different things going on,” Barr said. “I said the American people need to know what actually happened, we need to get the story of what happened in 2016 and ’17 out. That will be done.”

Barr also said that “if people crossed the line, if people involved in that activity violated criminal law, they will be charged.”

Barr touted Durham as an “independent” and “highly experienced” man, and said his investigation is “pursuing apace,” despite delays he blamed in part on the coronavirus pandemic.

President Trump, noting the case at the top of a Friday press conference, called the individual “corrupt” and predicted the charge is “just the beginning.”

“The fact is they spied on my campaign and they got caught. And you’ll be hearing more,” he said.

  • SEATTLE BEER BREWER PUTS ANTI-POLICE SLUR ON CANS

Meanwhile, last month, FOX News reported that a declassified document revealed that the FBI agent who delivered a defensive briefing on election interference to the Trump campaign in August 2016 “actively listened” for certain topics – using it as a “cover” to monitor then-candidate Donald Trump and Michael Flynn, a source familiar with the document said.

The agent delivering the briefing was Joe Pientka. Pientka’s notes followed an Aug. 17, 2016 briefing to then-candidate Trump, Michael Flynn and Chris Christie, “in support of ODNI briefings provided to U.S. Presidential candidates and two of their advisors.”

The document was dated Aug. 30, 2016, and filed under “Crossfire Hurricane,” the FBI’s code name for its investigation into whether the Trump campaign was colluding with the Russians to influence the 2016 election; “Crossfire Razor,” the FBI’s code name for the investigation into Michael Flynn; “Russia Sensitive Investigative Matter,” and FARA, the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

The document stated that Clinesmith and FBI official Peter Strzok “approved” Pientka’s notes.

 


Share and speak up for justice, law & order...
Tags: John DurhamKevin ClinesmithRussia probeWilliam Barr
Law Officer

Law Officer

Law Officer is the only major law enforcement publication and website owned and operated by law enforcement—for law enforcement and supporters of justice, law, and order. This unique facet makes Law Officer much more than just a publishing company, but a true advocate for the law enforcement profession.

Related Posts

FBI agents were falsely told that Russia collusion claims came from the DOJ

May 23, 2022
Michael Sussmann

Clinton campaign attorney indicted for lying to FBI during Russia probe

September 16, 2021
William Barr

Attorney General William Barr announces resignation

December 14, 2020
Carter Page

Carter Page files $75M lawsuit against DOJ, rogue FBI leadership over ‘unlawful surveillance’

November 28, 2020
Operation Legend

Feds announce 500 arrests made in Chicago under ‘Operation Legend’ – CPD declines invitation to press conference

September 9, 2020
domestic terror

FBI has opened 300 ‘domestic terror’ investigations as a result of riots

August 4, 2020
Load More

Latest Articles

complaint

No Contact, No Complaint

February 4, 2023
Georgia police

Georgia police now livestreaming 911 calls straight to patrol units

February 4, 2023
Turlock police

California police association donates money to replace girl’s stolen wheelchair

February 4, 2023
James Adam Baird

Former Michigan teacher charged with sexually assaulting female students during vision tests

February 4, 2023
David Hodge

Teacher charged with sex crimes involving 12-year-old girl in classroom

February 4, 2023
Preston Hemphill

Sixth Memphis police officer fired for role in Tyre Nichols’ death

February 4, 2023
Load More

Weekly E-Newsletter

Subscribe—and get the latest news and editorials direct from Law Officer each week!

[newsletter_form type="minimal"]

JOIN THE FIGHT

BE COURAGEOUS

FIND MORE…

Law Officer

© 2021 LawOfficer.com

LawOfficer.com

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Speak up for justice, law & order

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact

© 2021 LawOfficer.com