Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Eighth person involved in that Donald Trump Jr. meeting with the Russians is names, Turns out he launders money.

Irakly Kaveladze
Courtesy of The Guardian: 

A Russian American businessman once accused of laundering more than $1.4bn into the US from eastern Europe attended the meeting where Donald Trump’s son expected to receive secret information from Moscow. 

Irakly “Ike” Kaveladze was the eighth participant in the notorious get-together at Trump Tower in Manhattan on 9 June 2016, his attorney Scott Balber confirmed to the Guardian on Tuesday. Kaveladze’s attendance was first reported by CNN.

Kaveladze, 52, is an executive at a Moscow-based property firm owned by Aras Agalarov, a business associate of Trump who is also enmeshed in the controversy over the meeting during last year’s presidential election campaign.

At first this Kaveladze fellow seems fairly unassuming, but this is the Trump campaign so of course he is anything but.

Courtesy of TPM:

A New York Times report published in 2000 identified a Georgian immigrant named Irakly Kaveladze as a key player in an alleged $1.4 billion money laundering plot uncovered by what was then known as the General Accounting Office. Over $800 million in foreign cash passed through 136 accounts Kaveladze opened for Russian clients, according to a report GAO produced on its investigation. While the GAO report did not name Kaveladze, he told the New York Times that he helped set up Delaware corporations and open scores of bank accounts for Russian nationals. 

A lawyer representing Irakly “Ike” Kaveladze confirmed to the Washington Post on Tuesday that his client was the same individual involved. The attorney, Scott Balber, also confirmed to the Post and the Los Angeles Times thatKaveladze attended a meeting in June 2016 with Donald Trump, Jr. and two others from the campaign, then-chairman Paul Manafort and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law. Also in attendance were music publicist Rob Goldstone; Natalia Veselnitskaya, a Kremlin-linked lawyer; Rinat Akhmetshin, a longtime D.C. lobbyist allegedly connected to Russian military intelligence; and a translator, Anatoli Samochornov. 

Kaveladze attended the meeting on behalf of Aras and Emin Agalarov, Russian real estate barons close to the Trump Organization who helped to bring Trump’s Miss Universe beauty pageant to Moscow in 2013, Balber, confirmed to news outlets. Goldstone, who arranged the meeting, works as a publicist for Emin Agalarov, who is an aspiring pop singer.

So, he's an accused money launderer. And why is that significant?

Funny you should ask.

Courtesy of the New Republic:

But even without an investigation by Congress or a special prosecutor, there is much we already know about the president’s debt to Russia. A review of the public record reveals a clear and disturbing pattern: Trump owes much of his business success, and by extension his presidency, to a flow of highly suspicious money from Russia. Over the past three decades, at least 13 people with known or alleged links to Russian mobsters or oligarchs have owned, lived in, and even run criminal activities out of Trump Tower and other Trump properties. Many used his apartments and casinos to launder untold millions in dirty money. Some ran a worldwide high-stakes gambling ring out of Trump Tower—in a unit directly below one owned by Trump. Others provided Trump with lucrative branding deals that required no investment on his part. Taken together, the flow of money from Russia provided Trump with a crucial infusion of financing that helped rescue his empire from ruin, burnish his image, and launch his career in television and politics. “They saved his bacon,” says Kenneth McCallion, a former assistant U.S. attorney in the Reagan administration who investigated ties between organized crime and Trump’s developments in the 1980s. 

It’s entirely possible that Trump was never more than a convenient patsy for Russian oligarchs and mobsters, with his casinos and condos providing easy pass-throughs for their illicit riches. At the very least, with his constant need for new infusions of cash and his well-documented troubles with creditors, Trump made an easy “mark” for anyone looking to launder money. But whatever his knowledge about the source of his wealth, the public record makes clear that Trump built his business empire in no small part with a lot of dirty money from a lot of dirty Russians—including the dirtiest and most feared of them all. 

There was an interesting story in Vox the other day where a Russian expert stated that Trump has essentially been colluding with Russian oligarchs  and mobsters (Assuming there is a difference) for over forty years.

In that expert's (Seva Gunitsky) opinion Trump was compromised by the Russians well before he ever had any serious political aspirations, which essentially explains why the Russians were so keen to help him win at all cost.

He is their poodle.

They own him.

And eventually he will deliver to them what they want.

29 comments:

  1. Anonymous4:36 PM

    Century tradition and counting!

    Ameri KKK a!

    Land of the Russians!

    Home of the Sell Outs!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous4:58 PM

    Is it any wonder that he, his cohorts and supporters are still screaming "Hillary! Hillary! Hillary!" Pay no attention to the mob behind the curtain....

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous5:01 PM

    The Trumps are so fucking scummy, they make the Palin's look Christian.

    HeidiWY

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous5:29 PM

      Never! Don't let her daily devotionals fool you, Heidi, they're as corrupt as ever. She just went underground as she said she was going to, and no doubt knee deep in this.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous7:57 PM

      Nah, Palin was left behind in this administration. Once she stole Trump's thunder at his campaign rally he had no place for her and her outsize ego. Malignant narcissists tend not to hang with their own kind.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous5:10 PM

    Oh, and what juice will Mueller uncover?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous5:38 PM

    '...Trump was compromised by the Russians well before he ever had any serious political aspirations, which essentially explains why the Russians were so keen to help him win at all cost.

    He is their poodle.

    They own him.

    And eventually he will deliver to them what they want.'

    -We are soooooo screwed.

    Unless, maybe, timing the filing of that article of impeachment by Representative Sherman was spot-on, rather than premature, as some people claim. Coincide that with whatever Mueller is currently finding out (anyone else notice that the leaks have 'mysteriously' stopped? Hmmmmmmm....), and hopefully, sh!t's gonna get real, and real soon, for Trumplethinskin...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous5:42 PM

    Trump To Humiliate Himself By Trying To Negotiate His Own Healthcare Bill

    Donald Trump has called all of the Senate Republicans to the White House on Wednesday for lunch because a man who knows nothing about healthcare is going to try to negotiate his own health care bill.

    http://www.politicususa.com/2017/07/18/trump-humiliate-negotiate-healthcare-bill.html

    Here come the mob tactics.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:12 PM

      The word negotiate and trump is an oxymoron.
      Trump is a stupid egomaniac !
      His fucking supporters are ignorant low rent morons.
      His administration is all but ignoring him.
      They are cutting their losses and distancing themselves .They are in survival mode.
      Fuck trump/penceldick he (they )is retarded!!!!!

      Delete
  7. Anonymous5:43 PM

    Does anyone remember Marina Lupas?

    She worked with Bristol Palin in a doctor's office. When she was first connected with the Palins and researched, she had several set up businesses. They looked like very high end businesses with great wealth. I doubt any of them were authentic. I don't know if they were for money laundering or what.

    I thought she was using them to attract a wealthy clientele for her online porn business. There are a lot of Russians in Alaska and many may have those set up business fronts for various reasons.
    Not all are for money laundering. The Palins were smart to stop using Marina for Bristol to have a friend when alone and pregnant with the first baby daughter.

    Where is Marina Lupas now and all her businesses? Bristol finally got out of Alaska.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:41 PM

      It's been going on a long time. Now they are exposed!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous7:59 PM

      Last time someone linked to her info here it was a photo of her with a newborn.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous9:23 PM

      Only in Alaska. What are the Palins doing going on a Vegas trip with that gang? Marina has been advertising the money she makes and expensive toys she buys from her earnings. But she won't say what they do for all those goodies. How boring for poor Bristol if she can't join them now she is in Texas and has to keep up the baby mama role. Especially since Duh can spend so much time with the boys. https://malialitman.com/2015/07/24/bristol-palin-works-for-dr-jack-me-off/

      Bristol Palin Works for Dr. “Jack Me-off” (I bet she misses the good old days)
      https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xat1/t51.2885-15/e15/10518084_1460675510854327_267887042_n.jpg

      Delete
  8. Anonymous5:49 PM

    This is so wrong!

    =====================

    I was told I could not ‘participate’: Climate scientist barred by US government from meeting with Mark Zuckerberg

    http://www.rawstory.com/2017/07/i-was-told-i-could-not-participate-climate-scientist-barred-by-us-government-from-meeting-with-mark-zuckerberg/

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous6:21 PM

    O/T. Urban Dictionary defines 'Pull a Palin.'

    'To avoid answering questions directly because you don't know the answer, or you don't want the person to talking to knowing the real answer, and talking about another subject you do know something about, or something to flatter or distract the other person, instead. Also resorting to speaking in talking points, folksy colloquialisms, or buzz words to avoid answering questions while trying to look like you know what you're talking about and to keep from having to give an honest or valid answer.'
    http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Pull%20a%20Palin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Should now be replaced with "Pull a Conway."

      Delete
  10. Anonymous6:44 PM

    If I was VP Pence, I would resign as VP and I would go on tv and announce I cannot be part of this administration, I am an American and I do not believe in what the Trump's are doing and cannot be part of it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:26 PM

      Thankfully you are not pence. He is one evil SOB.
      I hope he goes down with the rest. He is complicit. Do not trust the MF!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous5:49 AM

      Pence is also dirty on Russia. His spokesperson was on Fox News and would not answer a question when asked whether he had met with Russians! Mickey is going down with the Donald Flush!

      Delete
  11. Anonymous7:48 PM

    Drumpf is whining on Twitter about the media reporting about his previously undisclosed meeting with his boyfriend Vlad. What a crybaby!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous9:11 PM

    So if the Russians have been setting up Trump for forty years. Then they have also been playing the Republican party and their base.
    There was a piece done by Richard Engels from MSNBC that showed people from the South that were all sold on the Russians who were emulating the "South's" value system.
    So the Russians have totally infiltrated our country. They are like bedbugs, and lice thrown in at once.
    Now for any Patriotic American, just how in the hell do we undo this shit?
    That damn Donald, may he burn in hell!
    Putin too, if he doesn't turn out to be the devil himself.
    And the Americans that are colluding as we speak, may they go with Donald to the special place of misery for their betrayal.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous9:47 PM

      Try a century Comrad. It's not so much the treason committed between two nations, it's the silent infiltration into American life and politics. It's truly evil. When most wake up to what other nations have known, then you can see what happens when you lie to the people's of those two nations. Oh chit.
      Nothing like an angry mob.
      Poetic justice will be brought foward by them. Ogliarchs will fall. Governments punished.
      Sanctions on both nations.
      The End. People's win!

      Delete
  13. Anonymous10:56 PM

    FBI investigated Russian mafia at Trump Tower for two years in probe unrelated to 2016 election. Money-laundering ring operated three floors below President's Penthouse. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/fbi-russia-mafia-trump-tower-two-years-2016-presidential-election-us-money-laundering-alimzhan-a7642851.html

    PUTIN WELCOMES THE RETURN OF THE RUSSIAN MAFIA Russia’s gangsters and spooks are often closely connected. http://www.newsweek.com/putin-welcomes-return-russian-mafia-484083

    The Russian Mafia has been linked to penny stock manipulation, gas excise tax scams, health care fraud and cybercrime—criminal enterprises where they are pioneers, not just perpetrators. But law enforcement officials say the Russians are particularly good at money laundering, the lifeblood of organized crime. In fact, other crime groups use the Russians to clean their dirty money. From the Valentine's Day Massacre to Murder, Inc., organized crime in America already has a blooy history. But Friedman says the Russians are even more ruthless than the mobsters who preceded them. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/russian-mafias-worldwide-grip/


    The Federal authorities in Alaska, while reluctant to give out details, say they are investigating reports of a black market trade in walrus ivory and of drug and prostitution rings run by Russian-organized criminals who have come to Alaska.
    NOW ERIC TRUMP IS ACCUSED OF STEALING FROM A CANCER CHARITY
    http://www.newsweek.com/now-eric-trump-accused-stealing-cancer-charity-636044?utm_source=internal&utm_campaign=most_read&utm_medium=most_read4


    SOLDOTNA, Alaska — More than any other state, Alaska has been trying to build business and cultural bridges to Russia, which can be seen on a clear day from the tip of the Seward Peninsula. Aeroflot and Alaska Airlines now fly between the countries. And native people, mostly Eskimos, can travel back and forth within a special zone without visas. http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/13/us/in-alaska-a-yearning-for-a-new-ice-curtain.html

    SOLDOTNA, Alaska — Cusack's on the Kenai _ Lodge in Soldotna, Alaska
    https://www.facebook.com/CusacksOnTheKenai/photos/a.681597498526535.1073741827.681590935193858/1224876337531979/?type=1&theater

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous4:52 AM

    The count keeps rising. Soon there will be more attendees at this meeting, than people who attend tRump rallies (those who are not paid, brought in)I bet the Russians ALL wore wires, too, to share with Vlad.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous5:41 AM

    It seems that Russians are a much bigger threat to our country than other immigrants. That being the case, why don't we ban their visas?!?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous5:45 AM

    As always, follow the money. Trump's whole empire is built on money laundering for the Russians for years. They are a crime family...pure and simple!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Nice try, Gryphen.

    Why do you hate Russia so much? Remember, they gave us St. Petersburg/Tampa, Florida and borscht.

    Just because someone is a known momey launderer doesnt mean they are criminals. The Russians have many faults, too numerous for this comment and all the comments on the page, but you have to admit they do like clean money.

    The average Russian will wash their currency at least 2x per week. Some even use fabric softener sheets. Americans would do well to adopt this practice as it prevents the spread of Super Gonorrhea and Super Jock Itch.

    also, too, try the borscht with a dollop of sour cream.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous3:55 PM

    Pop quiz: how many US presidents have been fined ten million dollars for money laundering?

    ReplyDelete
  19. What about the questionable Russian guy that paid waaaaay over market for that Palm Beach property Trump sold him or "found" for him or something.

    More money laundering?

    Has they guy so much as set foot in it?

    ReplyDelete

Don't feed the trolls!
It just goes directly to their thighs.