John Schindler: “No Unclassified Evidence of Collusion Between Trump Associates and Russia.”
Another reminder that there are many moving parts and each piece needs to get into the record. There are open and closed congressional investigation sessions as well as the grand juries and the NYS AG’s office … and Monday’s Sally Yates testimony could bring one major element down while opening up an entirely new line of inquiry
The FBI did wiretap Trump Tower, but its target was not the future president of the United States and the operation was over well before Donald Trump even declared his candidacy.
Instead, the bureau was listening in on a Russian crime organization that worked out of offices on the building's 63rd floor, just three stories below Trump's penthouse.
As reported by ABC News on Tuesday, the FBI had the building under surveillance, including electronic monitoring, from 2011 to 2013.
The investigation led to the indictment of Alimzhan Tokhtakhounov, (вор в зако́не) who is wanted by Interpol and on the lam in Russia, and 33 individuals suspected of working for him.
Members of the Trump campaign met with Russian officials during the campaign, when Russia apparently was intervening to help Trump win. At least one of them discussed sanctions against Russia with that country’s ambassador to the United States before Trump took office.
Trump himself “warmly greeted” the Russian ambassador at a campaign event in April, and then later claimed he never met any Russian officials.
вор в зако́не
Of course there could be silicon valleys in the Urals or even the Caucuses ….
June 21, 2012, St. Petersburg – During the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum Sberbank of Russia and SVB Financial Group (SVB), parent company of Silicon Valley Bank, of the United States have signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a formal relationship between Sberbank and SVB to promote venture financing in Russia and help support an emerging and vibrant entrepreneurial economy.
This cooperation envisages development and implementation of joint marketing programs and events for Russian startups based on programs developed by SVB, provision of services both to Russian startups to enter the American market, and to American funds and portfolio companies to operate in the Russian market.
Other activities of the relationship will include the servicing and support of Russia-focused venture funds, development of a venture financing industry including regular high-level consultations.
“This step will allow Sberbank to position itself as an innovative leader and develop a new model of services for the dynamically growing sector of the Russian economy, - commented the President, Chairman of the Board of Sberbank of Russia, Herman Gref, – I am sure that execution of the MOU with SVB will open a new page in the history of success of Russian startups.”
Greg Becker, President and CEO of Silicon Valley Bank, commented: “Silicon Valley Bank continues supporting innovation around the world. We are pleased to introduce our experience and knowledge to the Russian market through cooperation with Sberbank and support Russian startup companies in entering the US market.”