A Russian oligarch who once employed former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort has asked for full immunity in order to testify before Congress about Russia’s interference in the 2016 election, the New York Times reported Saturday.
Congressional officials told the Times that the committees leading investigations were unwilling to meet Oleg Deripaska’s terms out of concern that such an arrangement would complicate the work of federal investigators.
Deripaska, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, did business with Manafort in the mid-2000s. The Associated Press reported in March that the aluminum magnate negotiated a $10 million lobbying contract with Manafort to do work that would “greatly benefit the Putin Government.”
After the story came out, Deripaska took out ads in multiple major U.S. newspapers saying he never acted on Putin’s behalf and offering to be interviewed by Congress. He sued the AP in May after it refused to retract the piece or issue a correction. The news organization is standing by its story, saying it intends to fight Deripaska’s suit “vigorously.”
Manafort’s foreign ties, including his work for a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine, are a key part of the federal investigation into possible collusion between Trump’s campaign and Kremlin operatives.
Hahahaaa. The fact he is still breathing is proof Putin allows him to live. Which makes him an agent for Putin, which he has always been.
I like how a Russian Billionaire is asking for immunity, and the Bumpkins who support Trump avert their glare, deflect, and rationalize that Hillary would have been worse.
It’s all true. Trumps a quisling of Putin. You would have to be an idiot to not see it.
Potentially big stuff here, it would seem. (“E-5…hit!” from the old days of Battleship). Especially that the AP is pushing back on this dweeb’s lawsuit. (Typical Russian bullying tactic, hmm why does it seem so familiar these days?)
Seems likely that he’s looking for the right to lie under oath.
Turns out the GOP has been selling out America to the Russians through at least four Presidencies…
PutinDoppel or not … Give him immunity and let’s hear what he has to say. If it helps to bring down Trumpit, I’ll listen.