FBI agent Kevin Clinesmith, who was charged with falsifying a document used to get FISA warrants on Carter Page, was just sentenced to probation for his abuse of power. Here’s a summary of what happened via Techno_Fog.
First up, Carter Page:
Judge starts by hearing from Carter Page:
The national media accused me of being "an agent of a foreign power"
I've been harassed in person.
"I know what it's like for your life to be destroyed"
— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) January 29, 2021
Carter Page:
I first collaborated with the CIA while in the military. I never betrayed that trust.
My life "spun out of control" due to the false allegations.
I had "no privacy" – everything was monitored by the gov't
They physically searched my belongings and hotel room.
— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) January 29, 2021
Then the DOJ attorney on the case made more damning comments against Clinesmith:
DOJ attorney Anthony Scarpelli now speaks:
Clinesmith undermined FISA.
Altering the CIA email led the FBI/DOJ to submit a false and misleading FISA warrant.
— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) January 29, 2021
DOJ atty Scarpelli:
Clinesmith was asked to confirm to CIA if Carter Page was a source.
CIA assessed that Page was "candid" in his contacts w/ Russia.
Clinesmith declined CIA offer to provide additional info on Carter Page as a source.
He instead altered the "source" email
— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) January 29, 2021
DOJ atty Scarpelli:
Clinesmith lied to his FBI supervisor about Carter Page's relationship with the CIA.
He then forwarded the altered email to the FBI supervisor.
Clinesmith's actions were "incredibly egregious" and misled the FISA Court
— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) January 29, 2021
DOJ atty Scarpelli closes:
Clinesmith was an FBI lawyer. He "betrayed the trust."
Requests "a more significant sentence" of prison
— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) January 29, 2021
Clinesmith responds:
Kevin Clinesmith speaks:
I thought I was accurately altering the email.
"I never intended to mislead" the FBI or the Court.
Is he on the verge of tears?
Recall his November 2016 text: "Viva le Resistance!" 🤡 pic.twitter.com/NlOTuC0Lhd
— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) January 29, 2021
The Judge rules and sentences probation:
Judge Boasberg speaks:
Courts all over the country expect gov't representations to be correct.
The reliance is greatest in secret court hearings (FISA court).
— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) January 29, 2021
Judge Boasberg:
The FISA Court reputation has suffered. Public trust is diminished.
However – the Judge suggests he is buying Clinesmith's excuses.
— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) January 29, 2021
Judge Boasberg:
Seems sympathetic to Clinesmith. Describes what Clinesmith "has suffered"
Sentence: Probation.
— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) January 29, 2021
Not even one year in prison for falsifying a document that led to Carter Page’s life being turned into hell and subsequently the life of Trump. This is what abuse of power gets you in DC.
I looked up this ‘Judge Boasberg’ and you won’t be surprised he was appointed by Obama. “Viva le Resistance!”
UPDATE: There’s a little more to it than just probation, but not much:
NEWS: Kevin Clinesmith, FBI attorney who forged email in Carter Page FISA process, receives a sentence of 12 months probation, 400 hours of community service, and a $100 fee.
— Ivan Pentchoukov (@IvanPentchoukov) January 29, 2021