Today I want to talk about someone you may never have heard of before, but who likely will play a key role in determining the fate of several defendants in the Georgia RICO case, including Kraken lawyer Sidney Powell, former Justice Department coup attorney Jeffrey Clark, and possibly even Rudy Giuliani and the big guy himself.
Awesome detail, once again. Trevian Kutti has certainly had an interesting career arc. From R Kelly to Kanye to Trump to being booked by Fulton County for chasing around Ms. Freeman. But here's a question for me as I made the mistake of diving into this rabbit hole. What in the world were Kutti and Freeman doing at the Cobb County police department "discussing" the election sitch?
My rabbit hole took me to this NYT article (link is a shared gift link, so no paywall):
It surely is a strange turn of events. I understood that Freeman wanted someplace they could talk where she would feel safe, but it’s a bit murky to me.
Yes, reader Susan said Freeman was concerned for her safety (to which I replied, "Duh! I'm a knucklehead!"). I assume Ms. Freeman was/is a resident of Cobb County, so it would make sense she would solicit them for help. Thanks!
Freeman was afraid to meet with Kutti - who came to her house uninvited - so arrangements were made to meet at the police station by the police officer who was called to Freeman’s house by Freeman herself.
WOW. I continue to be dumbfounded how these people would go to such lengths for such an evil, wanna-be dictator and proven criminal like Trump. The primitive, tribal nature of these folks is their undoing. This is a wonderful explanation of the path Ms. Willis is taking... always look forward to what you have to say and walk away more knowledgeable, Jay. THANK YOU!
What is it with trump and his influence on so many people that should and do know better?
How does he get them to veer off the straight and narrow to do his dirty work? Does he drug them?
For decades Trump’s MO of cheating, lying, stiffing contractors, throwing people under the bus, etc, etc etc has been well documented over and over.
Rick Wilson wrote a book with a title that says it all: “Everything Trump Touches Dies”.
And yet people still allow themselves to be sucked into his orbit thinking that it will be different somehow for them. And then they are shocked, shocked when they crash and burn just like everyone else.
There should be a 72 hour waiting period for anyone planning to associate with the narcissistic, deluded liar that is Donald Trump. There should be mandatory notification of a minimum of 12 friends and family members. As well as mandatory reading of Wilson’s book with an exam at the end.
Two in Michigan are seeking to have their "fake elector" charges dropped because they were "brainwashed", not sure if this falls under temporary insanity guidelines.
Sidney Powell and Ken "The Cheese" Chesebro are under heavy pressure to do a deal and plea-down, as their trial is upcoming, and Fani Willis isn't about to offer an easy skate as she concluded with Scott Hall, UNLESS the former two indictees divulge some really damning testimony directly involving meetings with tRump and what he said regarding the charges against him. Higher up the chain, the better the evidence against The King, Rule One for prosecutors.
Also, in Fulton County Superior Court, the presiding judge over the Fani Willis indictments, Scott McAfee, denied The Cheese's motion for dismissal of his case and suppression of vital evidence. The judge ruled that Cheese's motion based upon attorney- client privileges failed because the latter is charged with a crime as part of his actions as an attorney, therefore the "crime-fraud exception" rule applies here...how delicious!
I’m not sure yet that the affirmative has been shown by the prosecution, i.e. that the crime-fraud exception applies with respect to specific documents. Granted, I haven’t looked carefully at that question, but I haven’t seen any kind of discussion that the privilege has been lost, only that certain vital evidence can’t be suppressed. That may be spitting hairs at this point.
Jay, let me point you to this article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that discusses Judge McAfee's ruling on Cheese's motion to suppress, and references the judge's two-page decision. The docs in question include emails from The Cheese to John Eastman and Rudy Giuliani, fellow indictees and crimers, so it seems that the "crime-fraud exception" to any privilege claim is well-established facially.
Hall had a powerful incentive to plead. If convicted of the felonies he was originally charged with, not only would he have served prison time, he would have lost his livelihood.
Now he avoids prison. Not sure if the misdemeanors count as crimes if moral turpitude, but he has a shot and getting most of his life back.
What is required to be a bail bondsman in Georgia:
Must not have been convicted of a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude. Must be a U.S. citizen. Must complete a 40 hour pre-licensing course. Must pass a written bail bonds exam.
This sounds like a movie plot that is so bizarre, no one would bother watching the movie.
It’s Dumb and Dumber meets Clueless. A comedy of errors, morons and incompetents; and all of us have lost a few million brain cells, just for the experience...:)
It will be very interesting to see if either Chesebro or Powell flip. They are high enough in the scheme to require any deal to include jail time, and neither of them will do well in a Georgia State Prison. On the bright side I hear jail house lawyers can make good money in prison.
I'd love to understand why the conspirators were so intent on finding actual evidence when they were so good at making up stuff. Their lies convinced thousands of people to attack the Capitol. They didn't need to bother with evidence to convince the MAGA mob.
They knew there was no actual evidence. The nonstop "hunt" for evidence is part of the con, just like it was in the 60 some post-election court challenges where they admitted (in court) there was no evidence, no fraud; and in the current impeachment scam where they've convinced the cult that there is tons of evidence but admit in the hearing that there is none. It's their fake story and they're sticking to it. It's kinda like The Wall - there doesn't really need to be one for everyone to talk about it nonstop.
They knew what they were doing was wrong, they were intent on finding evidence to justify their actions. They needed actual evidence to keep their butts out of the slings they are in now.
Good point, Pam. I'd been thinking they viewed - and still view - the legal system as compromised or corrupt or prejudiced against them, and they felt above the law. I think some of them truly believed they were saving the country, so the ends justified the means - and they felt righteous and above the law.
That is all probably also true. They still feel righteous and above the law. It's been said time and time again- the power trump has over these people is perplexing. The things he has them believing, the things they did to "save" him..... I will never understand.
Where are the Avengers when you need them? Just for what they did to Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss these people deserve every possible nightmare Wanda Vision could inflict upon them.
The 4 indictments against trump and his cronies are the “big items”. It’s very disturbing to think about how many other crimes he’s undoubtedly committed and lives he has shattered.
I hate to be a nudge but until we see concrete convictions I worry this is a game-changer only for Scott Hall. However, the caffeine is beginning to kick in.
It’s unlikely in my mind that they would let him off with such a light punishment if they didn’t believe he had a great deal to offer them. We shall see.
I so wary of the announcements that “Trump is in REAL trouble now!”, “Trump had a devastating day in court!” etc that end up having no effect down the line.
It has just occurred to me that one of Trump’s businesses that might, hopefully, be dismantled by the disgorgement process is his Truth Social website.
Now that would be a truly significant, massive win for Democracy and the We the People!
It is headqaurtered in Palm Bach, Fl and is a product of Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG). Given from what I am reading I expect that it is something that absolutely should be investigated and hopefully terminated as a business.
"Digital World has faced a series of challenges since it stuck a merger deal with Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) on October 2021. It has been a target of investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
If the merger closes, Trump Media would gain access to more than $1 billion in cash from DWAC's institutional investors, such as hedge funds. According to a Feb. 2, 2021 services agreement, Trump controls 90% of Trump Media."
When rats jump overboard, one can only hope: the [MAGA election fraud] ship be sinking. Which is good, but we will only be deluding ourselves that the political ill winds driving us towards a fascist future will slacken because criminal schemes are successfully prosecuted. We need to build and sustain a vibrant small d democratic movement to counter the fearful, hateful, spite driven authoritarian movement that has been set upon the Country. Trump's simply a manifestation, the incarnation of this malign spirit that is haunting the US.
Awesome detail, once again. Trevian Kutti has certainly had an interesting career arc. From R Kelly to Kanye to Trump to being booked by Fulton County for chasing around Ms. Freeman. But here's a question for me as I made the mistake of diving into this rabbit hole. What in the world were Kutti and Freeman doing at the Cobb County police department "discussing" the election sitch?
My rabbit hole took me to this NYT article (link is a shared gift link, so no paywall):
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/15/us/elections/trevian-kutti-trump-georgia-kanye-west.html?unlocked_article_code=E4Mhz1FiAhqjCKHbwR4OuxJZ5buzEBGisJ85L4aTzj4iFR-j1o-CUJuGM7qFQ-yX6kawbUe-RRf7o4juwaUSmNYy___GE3IOd0wm19azUdGeAw3n2NdINB6uYMLwAbuazXATk9X_AV6pU5A7s3aOWTotJw3g0t9ODMSv9VS3aby7sSxwh6sVFduTZgCJeUdMGDb5NWb26RE1TSBOUurigyVMEzZqgQGOHlK3_isziO74AWuxgqOsKiTn4l8cEtuxcTbYPctyDnbrCEHl71pCisbQ_0tMXs0dI-45qV9wOonrGY4F4CQ4BQCf3ugDPsmET8B2yuV5FyNa-FL9sfN3aeDUoyoE0mfCIDucqw2cvhYNvczU664&smid=url-share
Honestly, this whole mess is like a combination of Only Murders in the Building, a Borat movie, and Mystery Science Theater 3000.
It surely is a strange turn of events. I understood that Freeman wanted someplace they could talk where she would feel safe, but it’s a bit murky to me.
Yes, reader Susan said Freeman was concerned for her safety (to which I replied, "Duh! I'm a knucklehead!"). I assume Ms. Freeman was/is a resident of Cobb County, so it would make sense she would solicit them for help. Thanks!
Freeman was afraid to meet with Kutti - who came to her house uninvited - so arrangements were made to meet at the police station by the police officer who was called to Freeman’s house by Freeman herself.
Oh gosh, so obvious. I'm a knucklehead! Thanks!
WOW. I continue to be dumbfounded how these people would go to such lengths for such an evil, wanna-be dictator and proven criminal like Trump. The primitive, tribal nature of these folks is their undoing. This is a wonderful explanation of the path Ms. Willis is taking... always look forward to what you have to say and walk away more knowledgeable, Jay. THANK YOU!
Agree 💯
What is it with trump and his influence on so many people that should and do know better?
How does he get them to veer off the straight and narrow to do his dirty work? Does he drug them?
For decades Trump’s MO of cheating, lying, stiffing contractors, throwing people under the bus, etc, etc etc has been well documented over and over.
Rick Wilson wrote a book with a title that says it all: “Everything Trump Touches Dies”.
And yet people still allow themselves to be sucked into his orbit thinking that it will be different somehow for them. And then they are shocked, shocked when they crash and burn just like everyone else.
There should be a 72 hour waiting period for anyone planning to associate with the narcissistic, deluded liar that is Donald Trump. There should be mandatory notification of a minimum of 12 friends and family members. As well as mandatory reading of Wilson’s book with an exam at the end.
And how will they all be deprogrammed/deradicalized? I hope there’s a vaccine.
If there is they wouldn’t take it.
I think if it existed we'd be injecting family members covertly
Ivermectin as an antidote to tRumpism?
😂
Excellent point!
Two in Michigan are seeking to have their "fake elector" charges dropped because they were "brainwashed", not sure if this falls under temporary insanity guidelines.
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/michigan-trump-electors-dana-nessel-brainwashing-1234833032/
They'd have to convince a jury that they didn't know what they were doing is wrong or illegal. High bar.
Sidney Powell and Ken "The Cheese" Chesebro are under heavy pressure to do a deal and plea-down, as their trial is upcoming, and Fani Willis isn't about to offer an easy skate as she concluded with Scott Hall, UNLESS the former two indictees divulge some really damning testimony directly involving meetings with tRump and what he said regarding the charges against him. Higher up the chain, the better the evidence against The King, Rule One for prosecutors.
Also, in Fulton County Superior Court, the presiding judge over the Fani Willis indictments, Scott McAfee, denied The Cheese's motion for dismissal of his case and suppression of vital evidence. The judge ruled that Cheese's motion based upon attorney- client privileges failed because the latter is charged with a crime as part of his actions as an attorney, therefore the "crime-fraud exception" rule applies here...how delicious!
I’m not sure yet that the affirmative has been shown by the prosecution, i.e. that the crime-fraud exception applies with respect to specific documents. Granted, I haven’t looked carefully at that question, but I haven’t seen any kind of discussion that the privilege has been lost, only that certain vital evidence can’t be suppressed. That may be spitting hairs at this point.
Jay, let me point you to this article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that discusses Judge McAfee's ruling on Cheese's motion to suppress, and references the judge's two-page decision. The docs in question include emails from The Cheese to John Eastman and Rudy Giuliani, fellow indictees and crimers, so it seems that the "crime-fraud exception" to any privilege claim is well-established facially.
https://www.ajc.com/news/judge-in-trump-racketeering-case-denies-kenneth-chesebros-motion-to-suppress-evidence/5ORYBK6NQ5D2NP7BQ775QEINJA/
Oh, what a tangled web we weave…
Hall had a powerful incentive to plead. If convicted of the felonies he was originally charged with, not only would he have served prison time, he would have lost his livelihood.
Now he avoids prison. Not sure if the misdemeanors count as crimes if moral turpitude, but he has a shot and getting most of his life back.
What is required to be a bail bondsman in Georgia:
Must not have been convicted of a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude. Must be a U.S. citizen. Must complete a 40 hour pre-licensing course. Must pass a written bail bonds exam.
As with all these dimwits, the bare minimum of "qualifications". Not America's best.
This sounds like a movie plot that is so bizarre, no one would bother watching the movie.
It’s Dumb and Dumber meets Clueless. A comedy of errors, morons and incompetents; and all of us have lost a few million brain cells, just for the experience...:)
Jay, you are one impressive human being. That's all I got today.
It will be very interesting to see if either Chesebro or Powell flip. They are high enough in the scheme to require any deal to include jail time, and neither of them will do well in a Georgia State Prison. On the bright side I hear jail house lawyers can make good money in prison.
I'd love to understand why the conspirators were so intent on finding actual evidence when they were so good at making up stuff. Their lies convinced thousands of people to attack the Capitol. They didn't need to bother with evidence to convince the MAGA mob.
They knew there was no actual evidence. The nonstop "hunt" for evidence is part of the con, just like it was in the 60 some post-election court challenges where they admitted (in court) there was no evidence, no fraud; and in the current impeachment scam where they've convinced the cult that there is tons of evidence but admit in the hearing that there is none. It's their fake story and they're sticking to it. It's kinda like The Wall - there doesn't really need to be one for everyone to talk about it nonstop.
Err, kind of like an ongoing impeachment inquiry in the House?
Christina, you got it in one!
They knew what they were doing was wrong, they were intent on finding evidence to justify their actions. They needed actual evidence to keep their butts out of the slings they are in now.
Good point, Pam. I'd been thinking they viewed - and still view - the legal system as compromised or corrupt or prejudiced against them, and they felt above the law. I think some of them truly believed they were saving the country, so the ends justified the means - and they felt righteous and above the law.
That is all probably also true. They still feel righteous and above the law. It's been said time and time again- the power trump has over these people is perplexing. The things he has them believing, the things they did to "save" him..... I will never understand.
Where are the Avengers when you need them? Just for what they did to Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss these people deserve every possible nightmare Wanda Vision could inflict upon them.
The 4 indictments against trump and his cronies are the “big items”. It’s very disturbing to think about how many other crimes he’s undoubtedly committed and lives he has shattered.
I hate to be a nudge but until we see concrete convictions I worry this is a game-changer only for Scott Hall. However, the caffeine is beginning to kick in.
It’s unlikely in my mind that they would let him off with such a light punishment if they didn’t believe he had a great deal to offer them. We shall see.
I so wary of the announcements that “Trump is in REAL trouble now!”, “Trump had a devastating day in court!” etc that end up having no effect down the line.
I'm half-way through my cuppa and read the link to The Empty Wheel newsletter - lots of implications for all involved 😈
It has just occurred to me that one of Trump’s businesses that might, hopefully, be dismantled by the disgorgement process is his Truth Social website.
Now that would be a truly significant, massive win for Democracy and the We the People!
I’m not sure that it’s subject to NY. I seem to recall that it’s incorporated elsewhere and has a different corporate structure.
It is headqaurtered in Palm Bach, Fl and is a product of Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG). Given from what I am reading I expect that it is something that absolutely should be investigated and hopefully terminated as a business.
"Digital World has faced a series of challenges since it stuck a merger deal with Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) on October 2021. It has been a target of investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
If the merger closes, Trump Media would gain access to more than $1 billion in cash from DWAC's institutional investors, such as hedge funds. According to a Feb. 2, 2021 services agreement, Trump controls 90% of Trump Media."
https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/digital-world-trumps-media-firm-add-new-termination-clause-merger-deal-2023-10-02/
Won't seemingly take much for this corpse/skeletal remnant of an undead house of snake eyes to collapse, now beyond reprisal, unto final dust.
When rats jump overboard, one can only hope: the [MAGA election fraud] ship be sinking. Which is good, but we will only be deluding ourselves that the political ill winds driving us towards a fascist future will slacken because criminal schemes are successfully prosecuted. We need to build and sustain a vibrant small d democratic movement to counter the fearful, hateful, spite driven authoritarian movement that has been set upon the Country. Trump's simply a manifestation, the incarnation of this malign spirit that is haunting the US.