Obviously this thread is at least 5 years late.

But the story today is two Project Veritas locations were raided by the FBI....because months ago they published excerpts from the stolen diary of Biden's daughter.

Is Project Veritas not considered media?  Since when does the FBI raid the press for printing illegally obtained information?

Maybe someone else knows more of the story.  I was under the impression it's not a crime to possess such stolen info, provided you didn't steal it yourself.  So what's the probable cause?  Seems like a huge, and potentially chilling, issue.

OK, this story is actually kind of bizarre.  Project Veritas couldn't confirm the diary belonged to Biden's daughter, so they never ran any story.  They supposedly tried to return the diary thru her lawyer, and they cooperated and communicated with the DOJ.

Again, where's the probable cause?  But here's the LOL moment - did Biden's DOJ just authenticate the diary with these actions? 

And does any of this sound vaguely familiar?  Russian Dossier, anyone?

The FBI is trash 

This isn’t the first time that Biden has been a part of a administration that goes after the press.

Why is the justice department afraid of justice. 

A certain slippery ex-POTUS (not Clinton) has apparently dodged the big grand jury investigation into the ginormous crime of "unclaimed fringe benefits"....so NY has opened ANOTHER into asset valuation of a few of his golf courses.

It would not surprise me if there's some serious tax fraud on the asset valuations.  But it's hard to believe he was never audited over that, or that the state/local tax authorities never looked at.  And I doubt Mueller's team didn't look at all that with a lot of scrutiny.

posted by gut

A certain slippery ex-POTUS (not Clinton) has apparently dodged the big grand jury investigation into the ginormous crime of "unclaimed fringe benefits"....so NY has opened ANOTHER into asset valuation of a few of his golf courses.

It would not surprise me if there's some serious tax fraud on the asset valuations.  But it's hard to believe he was never audited over that, or that the state/local tax authorities never looked at.  And I doubt Mueller's team didn't look at all that with a lot of scrutiny.

You honestly think that the most famous business person in the world would even attempt to break the law?  He is audited yearly.  Let alone do anything while he was president?

posted by Fletch

You honestly think that the most famous business person in the world would even attempt to break the law?  He is audited yearly.  Let alone do anything while he was president?

Yes, because a lot of rich people have been caught cheating on their taxes.  It's practically common in real estate.

And you do realize his daugter's father-in-law, who also worked in real estate, went to jail for tax fraud?

Here's this reason I think Trump is in a lot of trouble: Land/real estate deductions, even ridiculously aggressive ones, can still be defensible and normally only result in fines and penalties.  But when you turn around and OVERSTATE those same assets on bank loans, then in one of those cases you've clearly committed fraud.

posted by gut

Yes, because a lot of rich people have been caught cheating on their taxes.  It's practically common in real estate.

And you do realize his daugter's father-in-law, who also worked in real estate, went to jail for tax fraud?

Here's this reason I think Trump is in a lot of trouble: Land/real estate deductions, even ridiculously aggressive ones, can still be defensible and normally only result in fines and penalties.  But when you turn around and OVERSTATE those same assets on bank loans, then in one of those cases you've clearly committed fraud.

Not happening.  Also are you liable for an in laws parents actions?  That would be like saying since my brother in law is going to jail for drug possession that I am somehow his dealer.

Banks typically seek appraisals on collateral, or internally audit the asset depending on what it is.  And even then, may only extend credit for a percentage of the collateral so as to never be under water. 

posted by QuakerOats

Banks typically seek appraisals on collateral, or internally audit the asset depending on what it is.  And even then, may only extend credit for a percentage of the collateral so as to never be under water. 

Yes, but Trump can't defend two DIFFERENT asset values.  That's fraud.  If he gave the banks the same bullshit valuation as the IRS, then that's just a fine & penalty.

Depending on the asset, there can be disparities in valuation depending on the methodologies used. 

posted by Fletch

You honestly think that the most famous business person in the world would even attempt to break the law?  He is audited yearly.  Let alone do anything while he was president?

CC you have said a lot of dumb things, but this may be the dumbest.

Congratulations on that I guess.

posted by QuakerOats

Depending on the asset, there can be disparities in valuation depending on the methodologies used. 

Yeah, we're not talking minor variances due to different valuation methodologies...