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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPay for Play in the Trump Era, To the Soundtrack to Goodfellas - By Josh Marshall
By Josh Marshall | May 9, 2018 4:29 pm
In some ways the more fascinating aspect of the fallout from yesterdays Michael Cohen revelations is seeing Fortune 500 companies struggle to explain how and why they found themselves connected, albeit simply through a shell company, with the Presidents payoffs to Stormy Daniels and his fixers pay-offs from a Russian oligarch. I think the evolving Novartis story is going to be a good example of the difference between the press release business press and the national political press in full scandal mode. Novartiss explanation simply makes zero sense its telling that they thought it would survive first contact with any scrutiny. I suspect well find out that thats the case because its a hastily contrived cover story. Even now, the story seems to be evolving toward a more plausible and problematic destination.
Heres Novartiss official explanation.
The engagement of Essential Consultants predated Vas Narasimhan becoming Novartis CEO and he was in no way involved with this agreement. Contrary to recent media reports, this agreement was also in no way related to the group dinner Dr. Narasimhan had at the World Economic Forum in Davos with President Trump and 15 Europe based industry leaders. Suggestions to the contrary clearly misrepresent the facts and can only be intended to further personal or political agendas as to which Novartis should not be a part.
In terms of the Special Counsels office, Novartis was contacted in November 2017 regarding the companys agreement with Essential Consultants. Novartis cooperated fully with the Special Counsels office and provided all the information requested. Novartis considers this matter closed as to itself and is not aware of any outstanding questions regarding the agreement.
The first thing to note is that whereas last night we thought Novartis had paid Cohen slightly less than $400,000 it turns out they paid him $1.2 million. So theres $800,000 that went through a channel other than what we heard about last night.
But lets consider this explanation.
They signed Cohen up because they thought he could advise them on US health care policy. Obviously, Cohen doesnt know the first thing about healthcare policy. Hes just someone whos close to Trump. What is important to keep in mind here is that when Trump came into office the pharmaceutical companies were terrified and flying blind as to what would happen under President Trump. There was actually an out of the blue statement Trump made in the second week of January 2017 about cracking down on the Big Phrma that had the big companies terrified. He told a press conference on January 11th that the pharmaceutical companies were getting away with murder. He had repeatedly talked about reining in drug prices on the campaign trail. But in January he seemed to be upping the ante dramatically. It even crosses my mind, in retrospect, whether this comment wasnt intended to scare companies into Cohens arms.
more
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/pay-for-play-in-the-trump-era-to-the-soundtrack-to-goodfellas
BigmanPigman
(51,627 posts)If every single person who is involved in the bribes, corruption, etc were to get on a boat they would fill the Titanic. And it will continue unchecked and unpunished.
Cognitive_Resonance
(1,546 posts)which is absurd on its face. KAI needs to hire some of those AT&T folks who know how to disguise the verbiage. In any event, KAI is about to cash in big time on the jet trainer program. Worked for them apparently.