Bombshell news this afternoon as Politico reports that Tony Podesta is stepping down from the titular-named mega-lobby group The Podesta Group. From the report: “Democratic power lobbyist Tony Podesta, founder of the Podesta Group, is stepping down from the firm that bears his name after coming under investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller.”
This is a startling move. Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort turning himself over to the FBI this morning has unleashed a box of worms in the seamy world of D.C. backslapping and favorite trading. Now the race is on to avoid the leering eye of Robert Mueller, as he investigates improprieties committed by anyone connected to the Trump campaign.
Just last week we reported that Mueller was looking into Podesta over alleged violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Podesta’s firm worked with Manafort on a publicity campaign for the European Centre for a Modern Ukraine, a group that lobbied for Ukraine’s inclusion in the European Union.
Now, with Manafort in the FBI’s hands, and possibly going to jail, it looks like Podesta is taking cover as well.
BREAKING in Playbook PM — Dem super lobbyist TONY PODESTA is stepping down from the Podesta Group. Has come under scrutiny of feds.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) October 30, 2017
Podesta is a lobbying giant in Washington. His stepping aside — as scooped by none other than @apalmerdc — is huge.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) October 30, 2017
We don’t know what this will ultimately mean for Podesta, legally speaking. What it does make for is strange bedfellows, however. Podesta is a brother of Hillary campaign chairman John Podesta. The Podesta Group is a big Democrat lobbying group. Yet they were still mixed up with Manafort.
There is still zero evidence that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia in the 2016 election. But we have Manafort committing shady lobby practices with a firm headed by Hillary’s campaign chair.
Truly, the swamp runs deep. But it’s looking more like if Mueller takes Trump down, Hillary is coming with him.
What do you think? Is Tony Podesta guilty as hell of something? What will happen to Manafort? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below!
