Judge Orders Affidavit Redacted

Trump World: The federal judge overseeing the FBI search of Donald Trump’s Mar-Lago estate yesterday ordered prosecutors to prepare a redacted version of the affidavit that provided the underlining evidence for possible release to Trump, the press, and the public.

  Prosecutors have said that releasing the affidavit might compromise their investigation in its early stages while identifying witnesses and investigators. Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart said it is “very important” for the public to have as “much information” as it can while admitting that redaction might reduce the document to “meaningless gibberish.”

  Jay Bratt, chief of the Justice Department’s counterintelligence and export control section, told the judge, “There is a real concern not just for the safety of these witnesses but to chill other witnesses who may come forward and cooperate.”

  Reinhart ordered the government to submit the redacted version to him by next Thursday at noon. He said, “This is going to be a considered, careful process.” 

15 Times Guilty: Donald Trump’s former trusted CEO was told by a judge yesterday that if he does not testify truthfully in the upcoming trial of the Trump Companies that he’ll go to prison for 15 years. Allen Weisselberg gets a five-month sentence and might serve as little as 100 days if he fully cooperates.

  Weisselberg had just pleaded guilty to 15 charges of accepting untaxed benefits from the Trump companies for 15 years, dodging taxes on a value $1.76 million. The benefits included Mercedes Benz cars, free rent, and private school tuition for his grandchildren.

  Weisselberg repeatedly admitted to the judge that he and the Trump Companies had carried out the scheme. He would have to say the same if called to testify in the trial of the companies, but he has not agreed to testify against Donald Trump himself.

  The Trump Companies released a statement calling Weisselberg “a fine and honorable man who, for the past four years, has been harassed, persecuted and threatened by law enforcement, particularly the Manhattan district attorney, in their never ending, politically motivated quest to get President Trump.”

Woke Up: A federal judge on Thursday blocked Florida from enforcing a key aspect of the state’s new law restricting what Gov. Ron DeSantis calls “woke” workplace trainings about race.

  Chief US District Judge Mark Walker slammed Florida’s “Stop-WOKE” Act, criticizing its policies as “bordering on unintelligible” as he said in a 44-page decision that the law violates the First Amendment.

  Business are among other parties that have sued to overturn the law. 

  The law prohibits workplace training or school instruction that teaches that people are “inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously”; that people are privileged or oppressed based on race, gender, or national origin; or that a person “bears personal responsibility for and must feel guilt, anguish, or other forms of psychological distress” over actions committed in the past.”

  Judge Mark Walker wrote, “If Florida truly believes we live in a post-racial society, then let it make its case.”  He said, “But it cannot win the argument by muzzling its opponents.”

The War Zone: Ukraine appears to be stepping up attacks behind enemy lines. Explosions overnight destroyed ammunition depots and other sites, including inside the important Crimean Peninsula. A big blast at an ammunition depot was also reported in the Russian border city of Belgorod, forcing the evacuation of two villages.

The Penalty Box: The National Football League has ordered Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson to be suspended for 11 games and pay a record $5 million fine, seriously stepping up what was originally a six-game suspension for accusations by more than two dozen women who accused him of sexual misconduct during massage sessions.

  The league also announced that Watson must undergo evaluation by behavioral experts, followed by a treatment program. 

  Watson told reporters he apologizes “for any pain this situation has caused,” but at the same time denied he did anything wrong. “I’ve always stood on my innocence and always said I’ve never assaulted anyone or disrespected anyone, and I’m continuing to stand on that,” he said in a news conference. 

  Meanwhile, San Diego baseball fans are in an uproar over the 80-game suspension of Padres star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. after testing positive for Clostebol, a performance-enhancing substance. That means he’s done for the year.

  Tatis said he mistakenly used a ringworm treatment that had the drug in it. There is photo evidence of a ring on his neck. Tatis said, “I have no excuse for my error, and I would never do anything to cheat or disrespect this game I love.” 

The Spin Rack:  CNN’s chief media correspondent Brian Stelter is out as the network’s new boss cuts back on opinion-based shows. Network chief Chris Licht also is reported to be not fond of Stelter’s style on his show, “Reliable Sources.” — Owners of the re-branded McDonalds chain in Russia are running out of Coca Cola and re-branding iconic names. “TochkaCola” will replace Coke, and “Kids Combo” will replace “Happy Meal.” McDonalds left Russia because of the Ukraine invasion. 

Praise Jesus: The Rev. Carlton Funderburke of the Church at the Well in Kansas City usually leads the worship of God but recently excoriated his flock for failing to properly worship him with luxurious gifts. 

  “That’s how I know you still poor, broke, busted and disgusted, because of how you been honoring me,” Funderburke berated his congregation. “I’m not worth your McDonald’s money? I’m not worth your Red Lobster money? I ain’t worth your St. John Knit — y’all can’t afford it nohow. I ain’t worth y’all Louis Vuitton? I ain’t worth your Prada? I’m not worth your Gucci?”

  He said, “You can buy a Movado watch in Sam’s. An’ ya’ll know I asked for one last year and here it is in August and I still ain’t got one!” 

  Evidently praying for a watch didn’t work.

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Saturday, May 18, 2024

Page Two

The Most Corrupt Justice

Monday, October 2, 2023

Democracy and Video in the Dark

Sunday, February 26, 2023

Page Two: Do the Right Thing

Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Page Two: Sound Recall

Monday, September 13, 2021

Page Two: Cuomo Must Go

Friday, August 13, 2021

Trump and the Truth

Tuesday, November 3, 2020

The “Great” President

Monday, March 30, 2020

The Wright Stuff

Saturday, February 29, 2020

It's Been Said

"In my mind, I’ve never crossed the line with anyone, but I didn’t realize the extent to which the line has been redrawn. There are generational and cultural shifts that I just didn’t fully appreciate, and I should have, no excuses."

-Andrew Cuomo, resigning as governor of New York after accusations of sexual harassment

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