The complete picture of the Russia probe is yet to come
Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, special counsel on the Russian investigation, leaves following a meeting with members of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington, D.C. on June 21, 2017 . Credit: AFP/Getty Images / SAUL LOEB
Following incremental developments in the criminal cases against two former top-level campaign aides to President Donald Trump, White House communications adviser Mercedes Schlapp gave a statement to Fox News.
“This indictment has nothing to do with the White House or the president,” she said Friday. “As you know, we have been cooperative with the special counsel. As we continue to see, there’s no evidence of collusion, no evidence of wrongdoing.”
For the moment, as phrased, that sounds like a predictable and defensible baseline position.
But Paul Manafort and Rick Gates, the defendants immediately in question, had positions very relevant to the 2016 Trump campaign. They allegedly carried out a laundering scheme involving money from top Russian-loyal Ukrainians.
The investigation is far from over. For now, a dose of self-righteousness emanates not just from the White House but also from the criminally accused.
Gates pleaded guilty Friday to a conspiracy charge related to his financial dealings. He also admitted lying to Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s team about a 2013 meeting Manafort held with an unnamed member of Congress.
In a widely quoted letter to friends and family, Gates said that “despite my initial desire to vigorously defend myself, I have had a change of heart.”
“The reality of how long this legal process will likely take, the cost, and the circus-like atmosphere of an anticipated trial are too much. I will better serve my family moving forward by exiting this process.”
In a statement of his own Manafort seemed far from willing to indulge the rationale of Gates, his longtime associate.
“I had hoped and expected my business colleague would have had the strength to continue the battle to prove our innocence, Manafort said.
“For reasons yet to surface he chose to do otherwise. This does not alter my commitment to defend myself against the untrue piled up charges contained in the indictments against me.
“I continue to maintain my innocence.”
Mueller is still in the process of collecting guilty pleas, of which there have been five. By one observer’s count, four ex-Trump advisers, 13 Russian nationals, three Russian companies, a California man and a London-based lawyer have been charged. Further cooperation is expected. Most of the actions were announced this month. The fuller picture, whatever it may be, awaits.
Dan Janison is a member of the Newsday editorial board.
