By Dustin Rowles | Politics | February 21, 2019 |
By Dustin Rowles | Politics | February 21, 2019 |
The latest from America’s court system:
— A court has set bond at $100,000 for Jussie Smollett and confiscated his passport. He’s been indicted for felony filing a false police report after perpetrating a hate-crime hoax, because he was allegedly dissatisfied with his Empire salary. He faces three years in prison. He also paid the Nigerian men with a check. An actual, literal check, which he signed with his own signature.
— North Carolina Republican Representative Mark Harris — whose 905-vote margin of victory in last November’s election was called into doubt because of election tampering — is now calling for a new election after a four-day hearing. He changed his mind after his own son — a federal prosecutor — testified against him.
— A judge in Florida has ruled that federal prosecutors broke the law when they signed a plea agreement with Jeffrey Epstein, accused of sex trafficking and raping numerous underage women. One of those federal prosecutors is the current U.S. Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta. Epstein served just 13 months in prison and never had to name his accomplices, some of which may have been high-profile politicians.
— Meanwhile, Britain Eakin has offered a thrilling minute-by-minute account of Roger Stone’s hearing today for posting an Instagram photo of the judge overseeing his case with crosshairs near the judge’s face. Roger Stone repeatedly shot himself in the foot and by the end of his testimony, Stone’s own lawyers were like, “¯\_(ツ)_/¯”
Stone is off the witness stand. His defense attorney called his action "indefensible." ABJ responds: "I agree with you there."
— Britain Eakin (@BritainEakin) February 21, 2019
The judge is modifying his gag order.
Judge ABJ is modifying the gag order. "No Mr. Stone, I'm not giving you another chance. I have serious doubt whether you learned any lesson at all." He can no longer speak publicly about the investigation or case, but he can still fundraise and proclaim his innocence.
— Britain Eakin (@BritainEakin) February 21, 2019
Judge ABJ makes it clear that this is his second chance. "This is not baseball. There will not be a third chance," she says. ABJ is clear that she will detain Stone ahead of trial if he violates the new gag order. And that's a wrap folks.
— Britain Eakin (@BritainEakin) February 21, 2019
— Finally, the rumor is that the Mueller Report could arrive next week.