Sales of Trump properties suggestive of money-laundering - researcher

[webfact]

Sales of Trump properties suggestive of money-laundering - researcher

By Jonathan Landay and Warren Strobel

 

Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee Adam Schiff (D-CA) speaks after U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions attended a closed door interview with the House Intelligence Committee on Capitol in Washington, U.S., November 30, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Testimony to the U.S. Congress by the head of a political research firm indicates that the Trump Organization's sales of properties to Russian nationals may have involved money-laundering, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee said on Thursday.

 

The panel released the transcript of a Nov. 14 closed-door interview with Fusion GPS founder Glenn Simpson, whose firm hired a former British spy to research then-presidential candidate Donald Trump's campaign ties to Russians and produced a dossier.

 

"Those transcripts reveal serious allegations that the Trump Organization may have engaged in money laundering with Russian nationals," Representative Adam Schiff said.

 

The Trump Organization dismissed the allegations as unsubstantiated.

 

Another Democrat on the Republican-controlled committee, Representative Jim Hines, sought to temper Schiff's comment, telling CNN that Simpson "did not provide evidence and I think that's an important point. He made allegations."

 

The House of Representatives panel is conducting one of the three congressional investigations into possible collusion between Trump's 2016 campaign and Russia. Special Counsel Robert Mueller is leading a separate probe by the U.S. Justice Department. Moscow denies the conclusions of U.S. intelligence agencies that it interfered in the 2016 election to help Trump and Trump denies any collusion.

 

In his testimony, Simpson said that his firm closely examined sales of condominiums in Trump properties in New York, Miami, Panama City and Toronto.

 

"There were a lot of real estate deals where you couldn't really tell who was buying the property," Simpson said. "And sometimes properties would be bought and sold, and they would be bought for one price and sold for a loss shortly thereafter, and it really didn't make sense to us."

 

"We saw patterns of buying and selling that we thought were suggestive of money-laundering," he continued.

 

Alan Garten, the Trump Organization’s chief counsel, said that the deals Simpson referenced primarily involve properties to which Trump licensed his name, rather than owning, developing or selling them.

 

"These accusations are completely reckless and unsubstantiated for a multitude of reasons," Garten said.

 

"These issues have nothing to do with the scope of the investigation" by the House intelligence committee, Garten said in a phone interview. "But it’s not surprising the minority (Democrats) would focus on this given they’ve found absolutely no evidence of collusion."

 

Simpson, under questioning by Rep. Jackie Speier, California Democrat, also said that Russia’s operation to influence U.S. politics included attempts to infiltrate the National Rifle Association (NRA) and other conservative organizations, such as groups promoting independence for the states of Texas and California.

 

“They seem to have made a very concerted effort to get in with the NRA,” Simpson said, according to the transcript.

 

The NRA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

 

Earlier this month, Democratic U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein released Simpson's testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, where she is the ranking Democrat. The panel's Republican chairman, Chuck Grassley, had not agreed to the release.

 

Fusion GPS, based in Washington, hired former British spy Christopher Steele to investigate Trump's business dealings with Russia. It first investigated Trump on behalf of the conservative Washington Free Beacon online news site and then for the Democratic National Committee.

 

Trump has repeatedly criticized the dossier, which was based on Steele's investigation, calling it "bogus" and "discredited and phony."

 

Some Republicans critical of Mueller's investigation have said that Steele's dossier triggered the initial probe by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

 

They have raised questions about whether the FBI may have relied on the Steele document to improperly obtain surveillance warrants to spy on Trump's campaign associates.

 

The testimony by Fusion GPS's Simpson before the Senate Judiciary Committee last August contradicted those claims.

 

Ever since Feinstein released the testimony on Jan. 9, House Intelligence Committee Democrats have been asking that Simpson's testimony to their committee be made public.

 

(Additional reporting by John Walcott; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Grant McCool)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-01-19

[keith101]

3 minutes ago, webfact said:

The Trump Organization dismissed the allegations as unsubstantiated

So not saying its fake news or not true ?

[lannarebirth]

A friend of mine just sold his house near Seattle to a Chinese national for $1.4 million. The money arrived from nowhere the day before closing. Total black box as far as the money's provenance was concerned. Almost every sale to Chinese or Russians is like that I'm told by my R.E. broker. Not just money laundering but tax evasion and currency control evasion as well, for the foreign national that is. It is not a crime for a seller to receive these funds if they are not a part of the conspiracy to launder money/ evade taxes/ avoid currency controls.

I'm pretty sure a guy who bought a piece of land from us in Thailand through a corporation was laundering money but it didn't have anything to do with me and he paid the exact asking price so why would I question where he got his money from?

 

None of that is to say that the Trump Organization wasn't involved in money laundering but instead, to point out that receiving money (unknowingly) from people who engage in money laundering is not in itself a crime.

[Berkshire]

43 minutes ago, lannarebirth said:

A friend of mine just sold his house near Seattle to a Chinese national for $1.4 million. The money arrived from nowhere the day before closing. Total black box as far as the money's provenance was concerned. Almost every sale to Chinese or Russians is like that I'm told by my R.E. broker. Not just money laundering but tax evasion and currency control evasion as well, for the foreign national that is. It is not a crime for a seller to receive these funds if they are not a part of the conspiracy to launder money/ evade taxes/ avoid currency controls.

I'm pretty sure a guy who bought a piece of land from us in Thailand through a corporation was laundering money but it didn't have anything to do with me and he paid the exact asking price so why would I question where he got his money from?

 

None of that is to say that the Trump Organization wasn't involved in money laundering but instead, to point out that receiving money (unknowingly) from people who engage in money laundering is not in itself a crime.

Hmmmm...from the article:

 

["There were a lot of real estate deals where you couldn't really tell who was buying the property," Simpson said. "And sometimes properties would be bought and sold, and they would be bought for one price and sold for a loss shortly thereafter, and it really didn't make sense to us."

 

"We saw patterns of buying and selling that we thought were suggestive of money-laundering," he continued.]

 

There are shady real estate deals and then there's flatout money laundering.  What Trump and his criminal enterprise have been engaged in appears to be the latter.  Mueller will get to the bottom of this...if he hasn't already.  Money laundering has been criminalized in the United States since the Money Laundering Control Act of 1986.  All I can say to Trump is "You can run, but you can't hide."   

 

[lannarebirth]

3 minutes ago, Berkshire said:

Hmmmm...from the article:

 

["There were a lot of real estate deals where you couldn't really tell who was buying the property," Simpson said. "And sometimes properties would be bought and sold, and they would be bought for one price and sold for a loss shortly thereafter, and it really didn't make sense to us."

 

"We saw patterns of buying and selling that we thought were suggestive of money-laundering," he continued.]

 

There are shady real estate deals and then there's flatout money laundering.  What Trump and his criminal enterprise have been engaged in appears to be the latter.  Mueller will get to the bottom of this...if he hasn't already.  Money laundering has been criminalized in the United States since the Money Laundering Control Act of 1986.  All I can say to Trump is "You can run, but you can't hide."   

 

 

I have no doubt if there's something to find that Mueller' investigation will find it. I hope the Trump supporters will be accepting of the Special Counsel's recommendations.

 

Additionally, I have no doubt that if there is nothing of significance to find the Special Counsel will not recommend charges to be filed. If that is the case I hope the anti Trump coalition will be accepting of the Special Counsel's recommendations.

[lovelomsak]

37 minutes ago, lannarebirth said:

 

I have no doubt if there's something to find that Mueller' investigation will find it. I hope the Trump supporters will be accepting of the Special Counsel's recommendations.

 

Additionally, I have no doubt that if there is nothing of significance to find the Special Counsel will not recommend charges to be filed. If that is the case I hope the anti Trump coalition will be accepting of the Special Counsel's recommendations.

I really like this post. But not reslistic.

  This being an American issue it doesnot matter what the out come is some people will be up in arms about the outcome and never let it be. .

[Berkshire]

45 minutes ago, lannarebirth said:

 

I have no doubt if there's something to find that Mueller' investigation will find it. I hope the Trump supporters will be accepting of the Special Counsel's recommendations.

 

Additionally, I have no doubt that if there is nothing of significance to find the Special Counsel will not recommend charges to be filed. If that is the case I hope the anti Trump coalition will be accepting of the Special Counsel's recommendations.

I have no problem accepting the Special Counsel's recommendations.  But it won't be that simple--depends on his findings.  If, say, it's clearcut that he found irrefutable evidence of wrongdoing (whether it's collusion, obstruction, money laundering...whatever), yet, the GOP Congress does absolutely nothing, then the political war will escalate.  If Trump is completely innocent, then this whole Russia matter should go away...and rightfully so.  But make no mistake, Trump will still not be loved by the majority of Americans.  Especially when he keeps making stupid and/or racist comments...among other things. 

[lannarebirth]

1 minute ago, Berkshire said:

I have no problem accepting the Special Counsel's recommendations.  But it won't be that simple--depends on his findings.  If, say, it's clearcut that he found irrefutable evidence of wrongdoing (whether it's collusion, obstruction, money laundering...whatever), yet, the GOP Congress does absolutely nothing, then the political war will escalate.  If Trump is completely innocent, then this whole Russia matter should go away...and rightfully so.  But make no mistake, Trump will still not be loved by the majority of Americans.  Especially when he keeps making stupid and/or racist comments...among other things. 

 

Why would anyone need to love the president? I haven't loved any of them, but I've accepted them all.

 

 I think things started to head south in that regard when it was important to know what kind of underwear they wore, or if they were the kind of person you'd want to have a beer with.

[janclaes47]

1 hour ago, Berkshire said:

Hmmmm...from the article:

 

["There were a lot of real estate deals where you couldn't really tell who was buying the property," Simpson said. "And sometimes properties would be bought and sold, and they would be bought for one price and sold for a loss shortly thereafter, and it really didn't make sense to us."

 

"We saw patterns of buying and selling that we thought were suggestive of money-laundering," he continued.]

 

There are shady real estate deals and then there's flatout money laundering.  What Trump and his criminal enterprise have been engaged in appears to be the latter.  Mueller will get to the bottom of this...if he hasn't already.  Money laundering has been criminalized in the United States since the Money Laundering Control Act of 1986.  All I can say to Trump is "You can run, but you can't hide."   

 

 

A real Democrat in heart and kidneys, or just a determined Trump hater, what it will be?

 

Seems you missed an important line just below what you like to quote

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

"These accusations are completely reckless and unsubstantiated for a multitude of reasons," Garten said.

 

"These issues have nothing to do with the scope of the investigation" by the House intelligence committee, Garten said in a phone interview. "But it’s not surprising the minority (Democrats) would focus on this given they’ve found absolutely no evidence of collusion."

 

[Berkshire]

15 minutes ago, janclaes47 said:

 

A real Democrat in heart and kidneys, or just a determined Trump hater, what it will be?

 

Seems you missed an important line just below what you like to quote

 

 

You included quotes from a guy named Garten...who would be?  It's amazing that I have to explain this to you, but the defendant's lawyer will typically (i.e., nearly always) plead for his client, regardless of overwhelming evidence.  

[janclaes47]

6 minutes ago, Berkshire said:

You included quotes from a guy named Garten...who would be?  It's amazing that I have to explain this to you, but the defendant's lawyer will typically (i.e., nearly always) plead for his client, regardless of overwhelming evidence.  

           Even your own mates are not so sure about this, so Garten seems to have a valid point.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

 

Another Democrat on the Republican-controlled committee, Representative Jim Hines, sought to temper Schiff's comment, telling CNN that Simpson "did not provide evidence and I think that's an important point. He made allegations."

 

[Berkshire]

1 minute ago, janclaes47 said:

           Even your own mates are not so sure about this, so Garten seems to have a valid point.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

Believe what you will.  But if you'll recall, Manafort, Flynn, et al, were arguing their innocence against all claims...until they no longer could. 

[simple1]

2 hours ago, lannarebirth said:

A friend of mine just sold his house near Seattle to a Chinese national for $1.4 million. The money arrived from nowhere the day before closing. Total black box as far as the money's provenance was concerned. Almost every sale to Chinese or Russians is like that I'm told by my R.E. broker. Not just money laundering but tax evasion and currency control evasion as well, for the foreign national that is. It is not a crime for a seller to receive these funds if they are not a part of the conspiracy to launder money/ evade taxes/ avoid currency controls.

I'm pretty sure a guy who bought a piece of land from us in Thailand through a corporation was laundering money but it didn't have anything to do with me and he paid the exact asking price so why would I question where he got his money from?

 

None of that is to say that the Trump Organization wasn't involved in money laundering but instead, to point out that receiving money (unknowingly) from people who engage in money laundering is not in itself a crime.

Trump has a long standing track record of inappropriate financial dealings, including with Russians via banks identified for money laundering in places such as Cyrus.

 

Years ago he was identified by Australian Federal Police having  financial dealings with the US mafia as outlined below.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/aug/16/trumps-bid-for-sydney-casino-30-years-ago-rejected-due-to-mafia-connections.

 

One can only assume he has outstanding legal / financial advisors who keep him one step ahead of the judiciary. 

 

 

[55Jay]

So we have a closed door session of a congressional investigation hearing.  The full transcript is released to give the appearance of full disclosure, which I suppose is better than having continuous "leaks" out of Mueller office.  

 

Dems pounce upon a salacious morsel of conjecture and their willing accomplices in the media are all too happy to oblige.  In other words, Dems and the media are  slinging political mud at the wall, which has no credibility.  It loses even more considering the source is a private entity we know was hired to run a political hatchet job on Trump.

 

I don't feel sorry for Trump at all though.  This is right up his street.   But I also don't want to hear Dem/Lefties whining about Trump turning America into a Banana Republic when they themselves are driving the banana boat. 

[ilostmypassword]

1 hour ago, janclaes47 said:

 

A real Democrat in heart and kidneys, or just a determined Trump hater, what it will be?

 

Seems you missed an important line just below what you like to quote

 

 

Here's a bit of data you "forgot" to quote:

"Alan Garten, the Trump Organization’s chief counsel,..."

[ilostmypassword]

What's really bizarre is the behavior of Deutche Bank in regards to Trump. He had defaulted on a loan and they were suing him for repayment. By this time no American Bank would lend to Trump because of his history of defaults. Then suddenly the private banking division of Deutsche Bank steps in and make him a loan so he can repay the real estate division. This is bizarre. "Deutsche employees in New York were surprised by the bank’s decision. When asked whether it was normal to give more money to a customer who was a bad credit risk and liked to sue, one former senior staff member at the bank put it succinctly: “Are you f**king kidding me?”

http://www.newsweek.com/2017/12/29/donald-trump-russia-secret-deutsche-bank-753780.html

 It was later revealed that at this time Deutsche Bank was involved in a massive money laundering operation with money coming from Moscow.

[Chomper Higgot]

Steve Bannon is about to sit down with Meuller. 

 

The GOP's attempt to find out what he might tell Meuller failed when he refused to answer questions to the House Intelligence Committee. Desperate for an early peak at what Bannon might tell Meuller the GOP lead HIC slapped him with a Subpoena, that didn't work either. 

 

I hope Meuller has men guarding Bannon's safety.

[Berkshire]

1 hour ago, ilostmypassword said:

What's really bizarre is the behavior of Deutche Bank in regards to Trump. He had defaulted on a loan and they were suing him for repayment. By this time no American Bank would lend to Trump because of his history of defaults. Then suddenly the private banking division of Deutsche Bank steps in and make him a loan so he can repay the real estate division. This is bizarre. "Deutsche employees in New York were surprised by the bank’s decision. When asked whether it was normal to give more money to a customer who was a bad credit risk and liked to sue, one former senior staff member at the bank put it succinctly: “Are you f**king kidding me?”

http://www.newsweek.com/2017/12/29/donald-trump-russia-secret-deutsche-bank-753780.html

 It was later revealed that at this time Deutsche Bank was involved in a massive money laundering operation with money coming from Moscow.

Man, that is one fascinating read.  I'm comforted to know that we've got a competent guy like Mueller and his crack team of investigators all over this thing.  Because it will take some serious experts to sort through all of these financial shenanigans.  The Trump Criminal Enterprise is about to go down.  

[TGIR]

In the previous two elections before 2016 my wife and I each voted for President Obama.  We were proud to support a person who seemed destined to be a superb President.  By the end of his second term it was obvious to us that we had misjudged his intentions, as he appeared to be leading the United States every day toward true Socialism.  Accordingly, we voted for the Republican candidate who promised to lead the country in a direction more suited to our taste.   That candidate, Donald Trump, was duly elected and has since received a welcome the devil himself would not deserve.

 

When is this nearly daily crap-storm going to end?  I have never in my life seen one individual subjected to so much abuse, most of it undeserved and based on lies, innuendo and a malice that knows no bounds.  

 

Yesterday we watched a very well done interview with General Kelly depicting his job and relationship with the President.  The interview was unbiased and fairly presented (not done by CNN).  This morning I turned on CNN and in ten minutes had listened to one outright lie and another untrue supposition based on the interview we had both watched less than ten hours before. 

 

CNN used to be our favorite news outlet.We never felt a  hint of what it was to become this past year;  a bastion of misinformation and fabrication, more likely to obfuscate  than enlighten.  Frankly, I am shocked the FCC lets this continuing sideshow continue without some kind of protest.

 

Today we decided to stop watching CNN's daily ritual of demeaning our President and anything or anyone near him.  We have watched both CNN and  Fox News for the past year, both seemingly living on different planets,  both representing their side with vigor......however it has stopped being interesting, it is now just disgusting as CNN seems to have completely lost its hold on the truth.

[sjbrownderby]

Trump is no stranger to money laundering. He got caught out numerous times flaunting anti money laundering regulations when he owned Trump Taj Mahal. 

[stevenl]

12 minutes ago, TGIR said:

In the previous two elections before 2016 my wife and I each voted for President Obama.  We were proud to support a person who seemed destined to be a superb President.  By the end of his second term it was obvious to us that we had misjudged his intentions, as he appeared to be leading the United States every day toward true Socialism.  Accordingly, we voted for the Republican candidate who promised to lead the country in a direction more suited to our taste.   That candidate, Donald Trump, was duly elected and has since received a welcome the devil himself would not deserve.

 

When is this nearly daily crap-storm going to end?  I have never in my life seen one individual subjected to so much abuse, most of it undeserved and based on lies, innuendo and a malice that knows no bounds.  

 

Yesterday we watched a very well done interview with General Kelly depicting his job and relationship with the President.  The interview was unbiased and fairly presented (not done by CNN).  This morning I turned on CNN and in ten minutes had listened to one outright lie and another untrue supposition based on the interview we had both watched less than ten hours before. 

 

CNN used to be our favorite news outlet.We never felt a  hint of what it was to become this past year;  a bastion of misinformation and fabrication, more likely to obfuscate  than enlighten.  Frankly, I am shocked the FCC lets this continuing sideshow continue without some kind of protest.

 

Today we decided to stop watching CNN's daily ritual of demeaning our President and anything or anyone near him.  We have watched both CNN and  Fox News for the past year, both seemingly living on different planets,  both representing their side with vigor......however it has stopped being interesting, it is now just disgusting as CNN seems to have completely lost its hold on the truth.

Please do some research on socialism.

 

The rest of your post does not deserve an answer.

[milwaukeeboy]

The opaqueness of most governments and their agencies suggests a high degree of corruption, but what are you going to do?

[boomerangutang]

6 hours ago, lannarebirth said:

I have no doubt if there's something to find that Mueller' investigation will find it. I hope the Trump supporters will be accepting of the Special Counsel's recommendations.

Additionally, I have no doubt that if there is nothing of significance to find the Special Counsel will not recommend charges to be filed. If that is the case I hope the anti Trump coalition will be accepting of the Special Counsel's recommendations.

The part above, which I italicized and bolded, is wishful thinking.  Trump fans have not accepted any parts of a raft of evidence; Trump lies, Trump contradictions, ....which come down the tubes daily, for the past 18 months.

 

Even when there's clear video/audio/written evidence of Trump contradicting himself, Trump fans refuse to acknowledge it.  In their eyes, Trump can never do anything wrong.  He can never tell a lie, or contradict himself.

 

A major newspaper recently counted how many independent times Trump has lied in the past year.  The tally:  2,000 (not counting repetitions).  Yet every one of those 2,000 lies would be adamantly justified by his fans and/or refuted - even if it's clear as day by way of video.

 

Today, people are discussing this.  In the near future, the interplay could devolve to guns and bombs.  I'm not being a drama queen here.  There are hundreds of thousands of gun-loving Trump fans who would relish the opportunity to put their guns to use - in support of their hero.  I hope I'm wrong, but..... 

 

 

[boomerangutang]

2 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Steve Bannon is about to sit down with Meuller. 

The GOP's attempt to find out what he might tell Meuller failed when he refused to answer questions to the House Intelligence Committee. Desperate for an early peak at what Bannon might tell Meuller the GOP lead HIC slapped him with a Subpoena, that didn't work either. I hope Meuller has men guarding Bannon's safety.

Bannon can simply do what Sessions did (and all Trump's inner circle have done and will do):  Just say "I don't recall".  He may spice that cowardly lie with "I invoke the 5th" and/or "executive privilege" even though exec. privilege doesn't apply for the times before and after he was in the Oval Office.  Bannon is as much a slippery eel as everyone else in Trump's cabal.

[helpisgood]

8 hours ago, keith101 said:

So not saying its fake news or not true ?

Good point!

 

It does sound like a non-denial denial. 

[tryasimight]

It's about time politicians, Australian included,  started doing the job we pay them to do I.e. run the country for benefit and betterment of its citizens. Stop wasting millions of taxpayers dollars - the public will make their decision at the next election. 

[janclaes47]

6 hours ago, ilostmypassword said:

Here's a bit of data you "forgot" to quote:

"Alan Garten, the Trump Organization’s chief counsel,..."

I have some data for you as well.

 

ilostmypassword, thaivisa member and Trump hater.

 

Who of both will be the best informed?

 

Answers on a postcard.

[USPatriot]

Another democrat   im shocked.

 

I cant wait for the fusion gps, fbi a doj scandel paperwork to be released   its going to make the kgb look like school kids.

[USPatriot]

4 hours ago, boomerangutang said:

Bannon can simply do what Sessions did (and all Trump's inner circle have done and will do):  Just say "I don't recall".  He may spice that cowardly lie with "I invoke the 5th" and/or "executive privilege" even though exec. privilege doesn't apply for the times before and after he was in the Oval Office.  Bannon is as much a slippery eel as everyone else in Trump's cabal.

Exactly what was done for Clinton and everyone involved in her email server.

 

As for trump nothing has come of it with every government liberal dalivating over a fake dossier paid for by the clintons

[boomerangutang]

2 minutes ago, USPatriot said:

Exactly what was done for Clinton and everyone involved in her email server.

As for trump nothing has come of it with every government liberal dalivating over a fake dossier paid for by the clintons

Clinton and her emails.  That's such a boring non-issue, which deals with a person who is not in government - something questionable she may have done several years ago.  Stalin would smile at Republicans beating a dead mule like that. 

 

Comparing HRC's email dust-up with the things Trump and his cabal are neck-deep in, is like comparing a hangnail with an ebola outbreak in a city.  

 

BTW, the dossier thing: GPS Fusion initially started on that project at the behest of a Republican group.  ....but don't let facts get in the way of your banging pots and pans together, trying to make yourself sound like a locomotive.