Ex-Obama WH Counsel Greg Craig Pleads Not Guilty

on October 17, 2016 in Washington, DC.
Retired Gen. James Cartwright, (R), arrives for a hearing with his attorney Greg Craig (L), at U.S. District Court, October 17, 2016 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
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Former Obama White House counsel Greg Craig has pleaded not guilty to charges of making false statements and concealing information in a federal foreign lobbying investigation spun off from the Russia probe.

Craig entered the plea Friday in federal court in Washington a day after he was accused of hiding the details of his work for the Ukrainian government from the Justice Department.

The 74-year-old denies the charges and says the prosecution against him is “unprecedented and unjustified.”

The case intersected with special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe because former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was involved in the financing of a report Craig authored for the Ukrainian government. The document sought to legitimize the prosecution of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

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  1. Stop using this headline! Craig was not in the administration when these alleged activities took place. By calling him “Ex-Obama WH Counsel,” you are at best adding no pertinent information and, at worst, falsely connecting the alleged crimes to that administration.

    Josh talks about the bigs getting played by Barr? Looks like Josh has something in common with the bigs.

  2. I understand that Mr. Craig’s previous affiliation with the Obama administration makes the indictment more newsworthy, but the formulation of the headline invites misinterpretation and, in partisan hands subject to misuse. Yes, Mr. Craig served as White House Counsel. He also left that position to serve in private practice, and the indictment relates to his conduct in that capacity and not to anything within the scope of his government service. As written, the headline simply contributes to a perception that “both sides do it…”

  3. OOPS! Posted too soon… Could not agree more.

  4. @santiago

    By Associated Press

    'nuff said?

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

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