Latest news with #perjury
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Hillary Clinton could be on the hook for perjury says Trump's CIA director as he vows to take action
Donald Trump's CIA Director John Ratcliffe suggested that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other top Obama aides could be hit with perjury charges. Ratcliffe said that Obama officials involved with the 'Russia hoax' - the debunked narrative that Russia interfered with the 2016 election on behalf of Donald Trump 's campaign - could be prosecuted. 'Are those statute of limitations still live?' Fox Business host Bartiromo asked Ratcliffe. 'Tell me if, in fact, we could see a criminal prosecution here.' Ratcliffe responded by saying that the intelligence community has another batch of documents that will be released soon showing elements of 'Russiagate' were part of a 'Hillary Clinton plan.' That evidence, he said, is contained in a document titled the 'Durham annex,' files authored during Special Counsel John Durham 's investigation into the origins of the Russia collusion scandal. 'And what that intelligence shows, Maria, is that part of this was a Hillary Clinton plan, but part of it was an FBI plan to be an accelerant to that fake Steele dossier, to those fake Russia collusion claims by pouring oil on the fire, by amplifying the lie and bearing the truth of what was - what Hillary Clinton was up to,' the CIA director said. The dossier, a 2016 opposition research file crafted by former MI6 spy Christoper Steele against then-candidate Trump, was a central - and largely debunked - component of the FBI's 'Russiagate' investigation. Ratcliffe also noted how Clinton, former FBI Director James Comey and former CIA Director John Brennan have all testified about the case within the last five years. The statute for limitations for lying to Congress and the Department of Justice is five years, meaning the former officials could still be hit with charges. 'Much of that testimony is, frankly, completely inconsistent with what our underlying intelligence that is about to be declassified in the Durham annex, what that reflects,' Ratcliffe said. If the officials' testimony does not align with their past comments under oath they could be hit with perjury charges. 'They conspired against President Trump, they conspired against the American people,' the CIA director said. 'So, I'll leave it to Pam Bondi and our DOJ and Kash Patel and our FBI to investigate the conspiracy to do what, and what charges that they're capable of bringing.' A spokesperson for Clinton did not immediately respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment. However, some critics have slammed Ratcliffe for not releasing 'Russiagate' documents when he served as director of national intelligence during Trump's first term. 'Can anyone explain why John Ratcliffe, who held the same position as Tulsi (DNI) under Trump, totally failed to identify the Russian collusion coup hoax against Trump and was then promoted by Trump to head the CIA,' podcast host Clint Russell wrote on X. Last week, DNI Tulsi Gabbard declassified documents that she claims show how Obama-era intelligence officials 'manufactured and politicized intelligence to lay the groundwork.' She released a September 2020 report by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence on Russia's attempts to influence the 2016 presidential election. Donald Trump has long blamed former Obama officials for cooking up the infamous 'Russia hoax' against him The file disputes the claim that Russia interfered with Trump's first election on behalf of the Republican. Gabbard has said that she now has 'the evidence' to prosecute Obama officials. She also said she would be referring the evidence to the Department of Justice. Hillary and Bill Clinton were also the topic of discussion on Capitol Hill last week after lawmakers voted to subpoena the couple over their ties to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. A motion from Rep. Scott Perry to have Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., solicit the former first couple's testimony passed last Wednesday. The effort also called for other high-profile Democrats with expected ties to the late pedophile to be subpoenaed. Former Attorneys General Eric Holder and Merrick Garland will also be compelled to testify. So will former special counsel Robert Mueller, who oversaw Trump's Russia collusion case. Perry's full wish list includes: William Jefferson Clinton, Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton, James Brian Comey, Loretta Elizabeth Lynch, Eric Hampton Holder, Jr., Merrick Brian Garland, Robert Swan Mueller III, William Pelham Barr, Jefferson Beauregard Sessions the third, and Alberto Gonzales.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Ghislaine Maxwell is talking – but what can she tell and can she be believed?
Early one afternoon in April 2016, Ghislaine Maxwell got so angry that she struck a table. Maxwell, who was facing a defamation lawsuit from the late Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre Roberts, was being deposed by attorneys and seemed to grow incensed during questioning. 'I am going to put on the record, Ms Maxwell very inappropriately and very harshly pounded our law firm table in an inappropriate manner,' said Roberts's attorney Sigrid McCawley. 'I ask she take a deep breath, and calm down. I know this is a difficult position, but physical assault or threats is not appropriate – so no pounding, no stomping, no, that's not appropriate.' 'Can we be clear, I didn't threaten anybody,' retorted the British socialite, who in 2021 was convicted of sex trafficking in relation to Epstein. Maxwell's attorney, Jeffrey Pagliuca, came to her defense: 'Stop, you made your record, there is no dent in the table. I don't see any chips.' The heated deposition would ultimately prove damaging for Maxwell. When she was charged in 2020 for inviting unsuspecting teen girls into Epstein's predatory orbit, she also faced two perjury counts for allegedly providing false information 'under oath' during litigation. Although prosecutors said they would drop these perjury counts if she didn't get a retrial in her sex-trafficking case, Maxwell's statements about Epstein – and whether they can be trusted – are once again at the forefront of national news. Twice this week, Maxwell met with the deputy US attorney general, Todd Blanche, as Donald Trump continues to contend with the political uproar over his justice department's handling of files related to Epstein, who died in jail six years ago as he awaited trial on sex-trafficking charges. Epstein, whom prosecutors said abused girls as young as 14, had for years counted numerous powerful men among his associates – including Trump and Prince Andrew, whom Roberts accused of sexual misconduct in relation to Epstein and who has denied any wrongdoing. Trump for weeks has faced political fallout over a justice department memo claiming there was no Epstein client list, and its decision not to release extensive case documents despite Trump's campaign promise to do so. Meanwhile, Congress – specifically the House's oversight committee – has also subpoenaed Maxwell to testify. As the controversy continues to swirl, report after report has shed light on Trump's friendship with Epstein, which reportedly ended several years before the financier was arrested on prostitution charges in Florida. But it is Maxwell – again – who finds herself at the center of a political and media firestorm, as Trump seeks to assure his Maga base that he is telling the truth when he says he had little contact with Epstein and was unaware of his crimes. What exactly Maxwell's meeting with the Department of Justice, or her testifying to Congress, will uncover remains unclear. It's also unknown whether Maxwell's sit-down will do anything to help her: she is serving a 20-year sentence for enabling Epstein's abuse. After the second meeting with Blanche on Friday, Maxwell's lawyer, David Oscar Markus, told reporters: 'Ghislaine answered every single question asked of her over the last day and a half. She answered those questions honestly, truthfully, to the best of her ability. She never invoked a privilege. She never refused to answer a question.' The attorney Alan Dershowitz, who represented Epstein in Florida criminal proceedings where he pleaded guilty to state charges including soliciting a minor for prostitution, said Maxwell was still key to understanding what exactly transpired. 'Maxwell knew Epstein intimately for many, many years. She was his girlfriend, she was his chief assistant,' said Dershowitz, speaking before Maxwell's meeting with the justice department. 'She would be the one who arranged the travel for people when I had to come down to argue cases for him or appear in front of the state attorney or the US attorney. 'She knows where all the bodies are buried.' He noted that prosecutors often exchange time in prison for information, including in organized crime cases. 'If they really want to get to the bottom of all this, they should make a deal with her – and the deal is an obvious one,' he said, describing it as a 'win-win for everybody' if she was freed, granted immunity and testified to Congress. While Maxwell does have intimate knowledge of Epstein, Dershowitz said this did not mean any meeting or testimony would implicate others. She could, for example, tell Blanche there were other accusers but that she believes them to be liars. Whether her evidence implicates people or appears to clear them, neither might be trustworthy by itself, he said. 'Whatever the inculpatory material is has to be checked and has to be verified. You can't just put out accusations.' Roberts and Dershowitz sued each other over Epstein-related allegations; in 2022, she dropped her suit, and both agreed not to sue again. Dershowitz has denied all allegations of wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. There are various ways Maxwell could receive a reprieve. Prosecutors could ask the judge to reduce her sentence for assisting with the prosecution of others, or Trump could commute her sentence or grant a pardon. 'I suspect it's really just window dressing or distraction to try to avoid having to release any significant Epstein-related documents,' said the defense attorney Jeffrey Lichtman. 'Maxwell had the opportunity to speak with the feds when she was under indictment and apparently chose not to because she claimed she was innocent. 'What is she going to be providing now, at this point?' Indeed, it remains unclear what Maxwell might tell authorities that could lift the veil on Epstein. Before her trial, her attorneys said so much time had passed that key witnesses had died and key evidence was inaccessible. Prosecutors also said in court that they had not offered Maxwell a plea deal – and that her team did not request one. Kevin Faga, a veteran defense attorney, said that if Maxwell wound up signing a cooperation agreement, then prosecutors could request a resentencing. While it's up to the judge, Faga said, 'in my experience, judges pay a lot of attention to these types of requests from the government' because they believe there's a public interest in providing assistance 'so that other wrongdoers can be prosecuted and punished'. In other words, if Maxwell were to simply tell authorities that prosecutors got the case wrong, that would probably not help her. 'Cooperation doesn't work that way,' Faga said. 'That's not providing substantial assistance to the government.' There's also the matter of Maxwell's problematic deposition – striking that table. 'If the government previously charged her with perjury, then it makes her a very questionable witness,' Faga said, 'and a witness that the government may deem just too unreliable to accept cooperation from.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Jerome Powell hit with a criminal referral over Fed's $2.5B renovation project — what it might mean for your nest egg
Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell faces a criminal referral from Republican Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna — the latest escalation in GOP scrutiny of the central bank's spending and leadership. On July 19, Luna sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi urging the Department of Justice to investigate Powell for potential perjury and making false statements to federal officials. Don't miss Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) You don't have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here's how The referral centers on Powell's June 25 statements under oath before the Senate Committee on Banking, where he addressed the $2.5 billion renovation of the Fed's historic Eccles Building. In a news release, Luna claims he 'knowingly misled' officials about the nature of the project during testimony, in which he 'denied the inclusion of luxury features.' '[Powell] stated: 'There's no VIP dining room, there's no new marble … there are no special elevators, just old elevators that have been there; there are no new water features, there's no beehives and there's no roof terrace gardens,'' she wrote in the letter. But according to Luna, his statement doesn't match up with filed documents. Citing the Federal Reserve's final submission to the National Capital Planning Commission, she said nearly all of Powell's denials — aside from the beehives — are contradicted by actual renovation plans. She also pointed in the letter to Powell's statement that the building 'never had' a serious renovation, despite a previous project from 1999 to 2003. If Powell knowingly misrepresented the facts, Luna argues, his actions may constitute perjury or materially false statements under federal law. According to Fox News, trade outlet Mortgage Professional reported that Powell has denied all allegations of perjury and has called for a formal watchdog investigation into the Eccles Building's renovation costs. Trump, Powell and the fate of your heard-earned dollar There's been growing tension between President Donald Trump and Powell based on a fundamental disagreement over interest rates. Trump has repeatedly criticized Powell — calling him names like 'numbskull,' 'Mr. Too Late' and a 'major loser' — for the Fed's decision to keep its benchmark rate in the 4.25% to 4.50% range throughout the year. Trump insists rates should be as much as three percentage points lower to help the economy Trump has said he isn't planning on firing Powell, but also hasn't ruled out the possibility. Powell's term as Fed chair runs through May 2026, and he has said he does not intend to leave early. While uncertainty lingers around Powell's future, it's worth remembering the core purpose of the Fed. As the nation's central bank, it operates under a dual mandate: to pursue maximum employment and maintain price stability. In a statement released June 18, the Federal Open Market Committee noted that unemployment remains low and labor market conditions are solid — but inflation 'remains somewhat elevated.' That may explain why the Fed isn't cutting rates. While lower interest rates — the kind Trump has called for — could boost economic activity, they also risk reigniting inflation. And the 40-year high inflation rate Americans endured in 2022 is still fresh in the rearview mirror. The good news? Savvy investors have long relied on certain assets to shield their wealth from inflation's bite — no matter who's running the Fed. A safe haven shines again Gold has helped people preserve their wealth for thousands of years. Today, its appeal is simple: unlike fiat currencies, the yellow metal can't be printed at will by central banks. It's also widely regarded as the ultimate safe haven. Gold is not tied to any one country, currency or economy, and in times of economic turmoil or geopolitical uncertainty, investors often flock to it — driving prices higher. Over the past 12 months, the price of the precious metal has surged about 40%. Ray Dalio, founder of the world's largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates, has repeatedly emphasized gold's importance in a resilient portfolio. 'People don't have, typically, an adequate amount of gold in their portfolio,' he told CNBC earlier this year. 'When bad times come, gold is a very effective diversifier.' One way to invest in gold that also provides significant tax advantages is to open a gold IRA with the help of Priority Gold. Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, thereby combining the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold, making it an option for those looking to help shield their retirement funds against economic uncertainties. When you make a qualifying purchase with Priority Gold, you can receive up to $10,000 in precious metals for free. Read more: Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — A time-tested income play Gold isn't the only asset investors rely on to preserve their purchasing power. Real estate has also proven to be a powerful hedge. When inflation rises, property values often increase as well, reflecting the higher costs of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rental income tends to go up, providing landlords with a revenue stream that can adjust for inflation. Over the past five years, the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index has jumped by more than 50%, reflecting strong demand and a limited housing supply. Of course, high home prices can make buying a home more challenging, especially as mortgage rates remain elevated. And being a landlord isn't exactly hands-off work — managing tenants, maintenance and repairs can quickly eat into your time (and returns). The good news? You don't need to buy a property outright — or deal with leaky faucets — to invest in real estate today. Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived offer an easier way to get exposure to this income-generating asset class. Backed by world class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of rental homes with as little as $100, all without the hassle of mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets or handling difficult tenants. The process is simple: browse a curated selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you'd like to purchase, and then sit back as you start receiving any positive rental income distributions from your investment. Another option is First National Realty Partners (FNRP), which allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through grocery-anchored commercial properties without taking on the responsibilities of being a landlord. With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to Triple Net (NNN) leases, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without worrying about tenant costs cutting into their potential returns. Simply answer a few questions — including how much you would like to invest — to start browsing their full list of available properties. What to read next How much cash do you plan to keep on hand after you retire? Here are 3 of the biggest reasons you'll need a substantial stash of savings in retirement 5 simple ways to grow rich with US real estate — without the headaches of being a landlord. Start now with as little as $10 This tiny hot Costco item has skyrocketed 74% in price in under 2 years — but now the retail giant is restricting purchases. Here's how to buy the coveted asset in bulk Car insurance in America now costs a stunning $2,329/year on average — but here's how 2 minutes can save you more than $600 in 2025 Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Fox News
21-07-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Fed Chair Jerome Powell hit with criminal referral by House GOP Trump ally
FIRST ON FOX: Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., is referring Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for criminal charges, accusing him of two specific instances of lying under oath. Luna is accusing Powell of perjury on two occasions, according to a letter to the DOJ first obtained by Fox News Digital. It comes as conservative Trump allies continue to demand that Powell, a Trump appointee himself, be fired before his term expires in mid-2026. "On June 25, 2025, Chairman Powell provided testimony under oath before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs regarding the renovation of the Federal Reserve's Eccles Building. In his statements, he made several materially false claims," Luna's letter said. Specifically, she accused him of lying about lavish amenities at the Federal Reserve's Eccles Building and misrepresenting its state of maintenance. "Separately, in a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought, Chairman Powell characterized the changes that escalated the cost of the project from $1.9 billion to $2.5 billion as minor. However, documents reviewed by congressional investigators indicate that the scope and cost overruns of this project were neither minor in nature nor in substance," Luna wrote. She claimed his statement that the cost increase was to simplify construction and avoid further delays was false. "It is contradicted by the Federal Reserve's final submission to the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and by the assertions made in Director Vought's own original letter to Chairman Powell," Luna wrote. "According to those records, the revised plan includes a VIP private dining room, premium marble finishes, modernized elevators, water features, and a roof terrace garden—features that Powell publicly denied existed. While Powell presented the changes as simplifications, the actual project plans suggest the opposite." She first announced she would be referring Powell last week on X. Perjury can be punishable by up to five years in prison in addition to fines. Trade outlet Mortgage Professional reported that Powell denied all accusations of perjury and has directed a formal watchdog probe into renovation project costs of the Eccles Building. The Federal Reserve's website also now includes a video tour of the renovation and notes on its proposed plans. Fox News Digital reached out to the Federal Reserve for further comment but did not immediately hear back. Luna previously wrote on X that she believed President Donald Trump would soon fire Powell, but that has not yet come to fruition. Trump has been attacking Powell for not heeding his direction to drop interest rates. He told reporters it was "highly unlikely" he would fire him, however. More moderate Republicans and supporters of Powell's, however, have argued that firing him would create even more market instability.
Fox News
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
'Held accountable': Sen. Rand Paul again vows to issue a criminal referral for Fauci
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., on Monday announced that he would revive his criminal referral against Dr. Anthony Fauci, adding yet another wrinkle to the ongoing Biden White House autopen saga. "Today I will reissue my criminal referral of Anthony Fauci to Trump DOJ," Paul said on X. It's not the first time that Paul has issued a criminal referral against Fauci, who is the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and medical adviser to former President Joe Biden. The first came in 2021, when Paul accused Fauci of lying to Congress about funding gain-of-function research for the COVID-19 virus at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The next came in 2023, again as part of Paul's efforts to investigate the origins of the virus. "Perjury is a crime," Paul said. "And Fauci must be held accountable." Fox News Digital reached out to Paul's office for comment. This time, Paul's reupping of his criminal referral comes after a new report added another chapter to the ongoing autopen saga, in which President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans have accused Biden of shrugging off his authority to aides and top officials in the White House to authorize his signature on a slew of pardons and documents. The New York Times reported that emails showed that Biden's Chief of Staff Jeff Zients gave final approval for the use of the autopen for preemptive pardons for Fauci and former Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, two of Trump's top critics. Biden signed the bulk of his over 4,000 clemency documents in the waning months of his presidency, a point that Trump and congressional Republicans have pounced to hammer in the claims that the former president's cognitive ability was declining and his staff were running the White House. Trump has gone so far as to request Attorney General Pam Bondi open an investigation into Biden's usage of the autopen, while Republicans in the Senate and House have all held their own committee hearings on the matter. And earlier Monday, Trump told reporters that Biden's alleged use of the autopen amounted to possibly "one of the biggest scandals that we've had in 50 to 100 years." "I guarantee you he knew nothing about what he was signing, I guarantee you," Trump said.
