Michael Sussmann, the former Clinton 2016 campaign lawyer, was acquitted on Tuesday on charges of lying to the FBI about President Trump and alleged connections to Russia.
Sussmann, a former cyber security lawyer for the Democrat-aligned law firm Perkins Coie, formerly headed by Mark Elias, was on trial for allegedly lying to the FBI in the hopes that the agency would “manipulate” the results of the 2016 election in favour of Hillary Clinton, his then-client.
The lawyer had presented data the FBI about a story of a supposed backchannel between the Trump Organization and the Russia-based Alfa Bank. This was later revealed to be a hoax. Prosecutors argued that Sussmann lied by not disclosing in the meeting that he was working for the Clinton campaign, instead presenting himself as merely a concerned citizen.
However, Sussmann, who had attacked the trial brought forward by special counsel John Durham as an injustice, was acquitted of all charges. This was the first case that resulted from Durham’s investigation to reach trial.
“While we are disappointed in the outcome, we respect the jury’s decision and thank them for their service,” Durham said in a statement. “I also want to recognize and thank the investigators and the prosecution team for their dedicated efforts in seeking truth and justice in this case.”
Speaking outside the courthouse, Sussmann maintained that he “told the truth to the FBI,” which the jury recognised with their unanimous verdict. “I’m grateful to the members of the jury for their grateful and thoughtful service,” he added. “Despite being falsely accused, I’m relieved that justice ultimately prevailed in my case.”
NOW – Sussman: "I told the truth to the FBI… Despite being falsely accused, I'm relieved that justice ultimately prevailed in my case."pic.twitter.com/hS8wTz0s51
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) May 31, 2022
Concerns had been raised in conservative circles about the jury trial, given it took place in Washington DC, an incredibly liberal city. As highlighted by former Daily Caller journalist Greg Price and Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley, the jury included “three Clinton donors, an AOC donor, and a woman whose daughter is on the same sports team as Sussmann’s daughter.”
Judicial Watch’s Tom Fitton said the DC jury acquitting Sussmann was a “major fail by Durham,” as it allowed “corrupt FBI and Clinton” operators to “skate” justice. Responding to the verdict, President Trump slammed the “corrupt” legal system, and said American judges were either “highly partisan, compromised or just plain scared.”
Sure enough, the DC jury just acquitted Sussmann. A major fail by Durham as corrupt FBI and Clinton operation have thus far been allowed to skate. https://t.co/7G5QdzrPcJ
— Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) May 31, 2022
BREAKING: Donald J. Trump responds to Sussmann verdict. pic.twitter.com/egei24V9bX
— Election Wizard 🇺🇸 (@ElectionWiz) May 31, 2022
During the trial, Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign manager Robby Mook testified that Clinton herself had given a green light to advance the debunked Alfa Bank story. After the testimony was made public, Tesla founder Elon Musk questioned why the Clinton campaign still had tweets up that referenced the fake story.
