In addition to the indictments of Paul Manafort and Rick Gates, former Trump campaign foreign policy advisor George Papadopoulos has been arrested for making false statements to FBI agents. Interestingly, the former aide was arrested October 5th, yet news of the circumstances only broke today.
“Former Trump campaign advisor George Papadopoulos pleads guilty to making false statements to FBI agents,” tweeted NBC News
Tweet credit: NBC News
BREAKING: Former Trump campaign adviser George Papadopolous pleads guilty to making false statements to FBI agents pic.twitter.com/vnBFSayXxd
— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 30, 2017
“After meeting overseas professor, Papadopolous pursued “off the record” meeting between campaign & members of Putin’s office, per filing. After meeting FBI, Papadopolous deactivated his Facebook account “which contained information about communication” with overseas professor,” reported NBC News.
After meeting overseas professor, Papadopolous pursued "off the record" meeting between campaign & members of Putin's office, per filing pic.twitter.com/atdIpMdd5I
— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 30, 2017
After meeting FBI, Papadopolous deactivated his Facebook account "which contained information about communication" with overseas professor pic.twitter.com/ciPUaVmLBV
— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 30, 2017
NBC News reports:
George Papadopoulos, who joined the Trump team in spring 2016 as an energy and foreign policy expert, communicated with a “campaign supervisor” during the campaign about his attempts to arrange a meeting with the Russians to discuss U.S.-Russia ties during a Trump presidency, according to court documents.
The supervisor, who was not named in the documents, told him, “Great work.”
He relayed to the superviser that during his communications with Russian contacts, the Russians said they had “dirt” on Hillary Clinton and thousands of emails.
Papadopoulos lied to the FBI about the timing and nature of the communications, officials said.
Papadopoulos sent emails to seven campaign advisers in the spring of 2016 titled “Meeting with Russian Leadership – Including Putin.” Navy Rear Adm. Charles Kubic was one of several campaign advisers who believed the email may have violated the Logan Act. At this time, it is unclear what false statements Papadopolous made to the FBI.
“Special Counsel Mueller appears to have a cooperating witness, George Papadopoulos. That is significant. Time will tell how significant,” tweeted Former US Attorney Preet Bharara.
Tweet credit: Preet Bharara
Special Counsel Mueller appears to have a cooperating witness, George Papadopoulos. That is significant. Time will tell how significant.
— Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) October 30, 2017
According to a screen shot of Papadopoulos’ Facebook page tweeted by Guardian UK reporter Jon Swaine, the former aide sought book publisher recommendations three weeks ago.
“Interested in meeting with a prominent publisher. Recommendations welcome, ” wrote Papadopoulos.
Tweet credit: Jon Swaine
Hahahaha pic.twitter.com/XHQ3JJChbj
— Jon Swaine (@jonswaine) October 30, 2017
