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pnwmom

(109,021 posts)
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 07:04 PM Feb 23

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

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.”
29 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Jerry Nadler asks DOJ to investigate former US Attorney Scott Brady for false testimony about Smirnov (Original Post) pnwmom Feb 23 OP
Yep. This is a way bigger operation. TrumpWorld is up to their necks in it. blm Feb 23 #1
I'd also like to know how long the Justice Department and FBI comradebillyboy Feb 23 #2
Garland and Wray are not to be MOMFUDSKI Feb 23 #3
Can the DOJ and FBI be so stupid as not to recognize a Russian spy? Irish_Dem Feb 23 #4
Too busy happily working with them? RockRaven Feb 23 #6
Exactly. Russian spy was a hired consultant. Irish_Dem Feb 23 #8
As another Smirnov might put it... peppertree Feb 23 #19
Exactly. Parnas was telling FBI 6 years ago this guy was a liar. Evolve Dammit Feb 23 #18
Unfortunately, even if the DOJ IG does anything, it will likely take years... RockRaven Feb 23 #5
Especially when the DOJ is part of the crime. Irish_Dem Feb 23 #9
Yep. Protecting the dept/agency/institution always takes priority for RockRaven Feb 23 #14
Especially when the law enforcement employees are the ones committing the crimes. Irish_Dem Feb 23 #15
I did a thread on this from EmptyWheel gab13by13 Feb 23 #7
IF Congressional Magats have been infiltrated by Russians. Irish_Dem Feb 23 #10
It is no longer IF, but WHEN. Bluethroughu Feb 23 #25
Sorry Jerry, those requests are only allowed from republicans JohnSJ Feb 23 #11
I don't want Smirnov gab13by13 Feb 23 #12
It needs to be made part of campaigns against Republican candidates for Congress. LiberalFighter Feb 23 #13
It is vitally important for moniss Feb 23 #16
A LOT of people should go down for this fraud. SunSeeker Feb 23 #17
Agreed. Now how do you get MSM to actually cover this as it deserves? Evolve Dammit Feb 23 #20
Drop 'em both in an oubliette! AnrothElf Feb 23 #21
Kicking. This story is HUGE. I think media is afraid of it. blm Feb 23 #22
They rearrested this Smirnov guy. BadGimp Feb 23 #23
That was my first thought... bamagal62 Feb 23 #26
He's probably safer in prison than loose somewhere else. We don't know what he looks like, pnwmom Feb 23 #27
Revoke their government pensions, healthcare and freedom. Bluethroughu Feb 23 #24
This is going to be a tough one Renew Deal Feb 23 #28
The FBI is filled with MAGATS. lark Feb 24 #29

blm

(113,124 posts)
1. Yep. This is a way bigger operation. TrumpWorld is up to their necks in it.
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 07:08 PM
Feb 23

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

comradebillyboy

(10,181 posts)
2. I'd also like to know how long the Justice Department and FBI
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 07:11 PM
Feb 23

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.

RockRaven

(15,058 posts)
5. Unfortunately, even if the DOJ IG does anything, it will likely take years...
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 07:15 PM
Feb 23

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

RockRaven

(15,058 posts)
14. Yep. Protecting the dept/agency/institution always takes priority for
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 08:00 PM
Feb 23

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

gab13by13

(21,474 posts)
7. I did a thread on this from EmptyWheel
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 07:16 PM
Feb 23

Garland needs an investigation of the investigation.

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

Irish_Dem

(47,631 posts)
10. IF Congressional Magats have been infiltrated by Russians.
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 07:18 PM
Feb 23

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

gab13by13

(21,474 posts)
12. I don't want Smirnov
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 07:22 PM
Feb 23

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.

moniss

(4,274 posts)
16. It is vitally important for
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 08:14 PM
Feb 23

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.

blm

(113,124 posts)
22. Kicking. This story is HUGE. I think media is afraid of it.
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 08:46 PM
Feb 23

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

BadGimp

(4,021 posts)
23. They rearrested this Smirnov guy.
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 09:00 PM
Feb 23

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.

pnwmom

(109,021 posts)
27. He's probably safer in prison than loose somewhere else. We don't know what he looks like,
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 09:49 PM
Feb 23

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

Bluethroughu

(5,204 posts)
24. Revoke their government pensions, healthcare and freedom.
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 09:02 PM
Feb 23

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

Renew Deal

(81,890 posts)
28. This is going to be a tough one
Fri Feb 23, 2024, 10:07 PM
Feb 23

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

lark

(23,182 posts)
29. The FBI is filled with MAGATS.
Sat Feb 24, 2024, 12:55 PM
Feb 24

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.

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