You have to wonder if the SDNY will prosecute on of their own. I have my doubts. But it’s interesting to note that when he was the US Attorney there Giuliani prosecuted one of his own prosecutors so he’s the last guy who can complain:
It’s nearly unheard of for a federal prosecutors’ office to investigate one of its own, but in 1985, the Manhattan US Attorney’s office did just that.Prosecutors brought a criminal case against their own colleague, a well-regarded prosecutor who was charged with stealing more than $41,000 in cash and five pounds of drugs from the office evidence locker.
The US Attorney who brought the case? Rudy Giuliani.
Thirty-five years later, Giuliani is now under investigation for a wide range of possible crimes by the very office he led from 1983 to 1989, a scenario that has prompted intense public interest and media attention and has led Giuliani to lash out against those investigating him, in one instance referring to the prosecutors as “assholes.”
Giuliani told CNN, “if they are investigating me they are acting irresponsibly and allowing massive leaking of things I didn’t do to harm my reputation, I learn what I know from press and that is one false charge after another. I’m sorry any of my former colleagues are disappointed. I’d just have to say is all we know are leaks and they should give me the benefit of the doubt on those.
He assumes they will protect him. And, of course, he has the presidential pardon insurance in his back pocket too. And although they are quoted saying they find it all disturbing, I have to say they don’t sound all that determined to see justice done in his case:
He was like all of us. He’s imperfect, but he was a very good and inspiring United States Attorney who made major prosecutions,” said Paul Shechtman, a partner at law firm Bracewell LLP who worked under Giuliani as a federal prosecutor, including as head of the office’s appeals division.”For those of us who worked for him, the fact that our old office is investigating him is a dark day,” Shechtman said.It’s a sentiment shared by the younger generation of alumni, many of whom point to their years in the office as the highlights of their career.
“It’s one thing to be investigated. Innocent people get investigated,” said Glenn Kopp, a former assistant US attorney in Manhattan from 2008 through 2013. If Giuliani is indicted, Kopp said, “it will be a sad day. I can speak for myself, and I would not be happy with that result.”
Oh please. They know he was a showboating jackass who was always parlaying his career as a prosecutor into politics — which isn’t unusual — but it’s not the sign of a committed crime fighter.
There’s something very weird about the SDNY investigation. There is no sign that they or the FBI did anything with the Parnas documents they returned recently, not even the texts about stalking a US Ambassador. The didn’t visit the guy who sent them until last week. Giuliani says they haven’t talked to him or asked for any documents.
It certainly seems as if they’re slow-walking this at the very least.
The US Attorney of the SDNY is Giuliani’s former law partner although they apparently didn’t work on any cases together. Still, it would be wise for him to recuse himself. (Of course, we know how Dear Leader feels about that…) The rest of the prosecutors are all very “sad” about a former US Attorney being associated with a crime spree. Somehow, I doubt they spare those feelings for other people in similar circumstances. Parnas and Furman certainly aren’t getting any such consideration.
It’s possible that Barr has put the kibosh on this case. And it’s possible they’re just proceeding cautiously with this delicate, political situation. But let’s just say that I won’t be surprised if this case ends up being quietly closed.
Update: