cnbc--2020-02-19--Trump commutes sentence of ex-Illinois Gov. Blagojevich, pardons ex-NY police commissioner Kerik, ex

Trump commutes sentence of ex-Illinois Gov. Blagojevich, pardons ex-NY police commissioner Kerik, ex-49ers owner DeBartolo — and Michael Milken

President Donald Trump granted executive clemency Tuesday to former Illinois Gov .
Rod Blagojevich , as well as to ex-New York Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik and to Edward DeBartolo Jr. , former owner of the San Francisco 49ers football team .
Trump also announced that he had pardoned Michael Milken , the former junk bond king who became a face of the insider trading financial scandals of the 1980s .
In all , Trump granted some form of executive clemency to 11 individuals Tuesday , according to the White House .
Trump commuted the remainder of Blagojevich 's 14-year prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serving that sentence in 2012 after he was found guilty of attempting to trade the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama for money or favors .
Blagojevich was scheduled for release on March 13 , 2024 , according to the Bureau of Prisons .
Trump has floated the possibility of commuting Blagojevich 's sentence for nearly two years .
In a joint statement , the former U.S. attorney in Chicago and the ex-federal attorneys who prosecuted Blagojevich stressed that the former governor 's crimes were `` very serious '' and deserved to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the case in America : a justice system must hold public officials accountable for corruption .
It would be unfair to their victims and the public to do otherwise , '' they said .
Sen. Dick Durbin , D-Ill. , said that Blagojevich `` betrayed the people of Illinois and engaged in a pattern of corrupt behavior for which he was held accountable and which cost him more than seven years of freedom . ''
Durbin called for the enactment of `` stricter ethics requirements , including the full detailed disclosure of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax returns by all elected officials . ''
Kerik oversaw the NYPD under then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani , who is now the president 's personal lawyer , during the Sept. 11 , 2001 , terrorist attacks .
Kerik was nominated in 2004 to lead the Department of Homeland Security under then-President George W. Bush .
Kerik pleaded guilty in 2009 to charges of felony tax fraud and lying to the government ; He was released from federal prison in 2013 .
`` I think it 's long overdue , '' Kerik 's lawyer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard the news of Trump 's plan to pardon Kerik .
`` It 's something that I 've been fighting for for several years , '' Parlatore said .
Kerik thanked Trump profusely later Tuesday in a statement he posted on Twitter : `` With the exception of the birth of my children , today is one of the greatest days in my life — being made a full and whole American citizen again . ''
Earlier Tuesday , the White House said that Trump had signed an executive order granting DeBartolo a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charge .
The wave of clemency came as Trump has hinted that he might be considering a pardon for his longtime friend Roger Stone , who was convicted last fall of lying to Congress about his contacts during the 2016 presidential election with the document disclosure group WikiLeaks .
Federal prosecutors last week recommended that a judge give Stone a harsh sentence of seven to nine years in prison .
Trump raged against that recommendation on Twitter hours after their sentencing memo was made public in Washington , D.C. , federal court .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice led by Attorney General William Barr revised its recommended sentence for Stone , asking Judge Amy Berman Jackson for `` far less '' time in prison for the Republican operative .
`` I think he 's being treated unfairly , '' Trump said when asked if he was planning to pardon Stone as well .
But Trump did grant full pardons and commutations to other figures , the White House revealed in a statement later Tuesday .
Pardons were given to former Symplicity CEO Ariel Friedler , who in 2014 admitted conspiring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systems ; Paul Pogue , who pleaded guilty to underpaying on his taxes over a three-year period ; David Safavian , who was convicted of perjury ; and Angela Stanton , a Trump-supporting television personality .
Trump also granted commutations to Tynice Nicole Hall and Crystal Munoz , both of whom were given lengthy prison sentences for drug-related offenses .
He also signed an order granting a commutation for Judith Negron , who was sentenced to 35 years behind bars for Medicare fraud .
Correction : Rod Blagojevich began serving his prison sentence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the year .

Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich waves to supporters outside his home after returning from his sentencing hearing December 7, 2011 in Chicago. Getty Images
President Donald Trump granted executive clemency Tuesday to former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, as well as to ex-New York Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik and to Edward DeBartolo Jr., former owner of the San Francisco 49ers football team. Trump also announced that he had pardoned Michael Milken, the former junk bond king who became a face of the insider trading financial scandals of the 1980s. In all, Trump granted some form of executive clemency to 11 individuals Tuesday, according to the White House. Trump commuted the remainder of Blagojevich's 14-year prison term. The Illinois Democrat had begun serving that sentence in 2012 after he was found guilty of attempting to trade the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama for money or favors.
Blagojevich was scheduled for release on March 13, 2024, according to the Bureau of Prisons. Trump has floated the possibility of commuting Blagojevich's sentence for nearly two years. In a joint statement, the former U.S. attorney in Chicago and the ex-federal attorneys who prosecuted Blagojevich stressed that the former governor's crimes were "very serious" and deserved to be punished. "That has to be the case in America: a justice system must hold public officials accountable for corruption. It would be unfair to their victims and the public to do otherwise," they said. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said that Blagojevich "betrayed the people of Illinois and engaged in a pattern of corrupt behavior for which he was held accountable and which cost him more than seven years of freedom." Durbin called for the enactment of "stricter ethics requirements, including the full detailed disclosure of income, net worth, and income tax returns by all elected officials."
Kerik oversaw the NYPD under then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who is now the president's personal lawyer, during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Kerik was nominated in 2004 to lead the Department of Homeland Security under then-President George W. Bush.
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Kerik pleaded guilty in 2009 to charges of felony tax fraud and lying to the government; He was released from federal prison in 2013. "I think it's long overdue," Kerik's lawyer, Timothy Parlatore, told CNBC after he heard the news of Trump's plan to pardon Kerik. "It's something that I've been fighting for for several years," Parlatore said. Kerik thanked Trump profusely later Tuesday in a statement he posted on Twitter: "With the exception of the birth of my children, today is one of the greatest days in my life — being made a full and whole American citizen again." Kerik tweet Earlier Tuesday, the White House said that Trump had signed an executive order granting DeBartolo a full pardon related to a decades-old corruption charge. The wave of clemency came as Trump has hinted that he might be considering a pardon for his longtime friend Roger Stone, who was convicted last fall of lying to Congress about his contacts during the 2016 presidential election with the document disclosure group WikiLeaks. Federal prosecutors last week recommended that a judge give Stone a harsh sentence of seven to nine years in prison. Trump raged against that recommendation on Twitter hours after their sentencing memo was made public in Washington, D.C., federal court. The next day, the Department of Justice led by Attorney General William Barr revised its recommended sentence for Stone, asking Judge Amy Berman Jackson for "far less" time in prison for the Republican operative. "I think he's being treated unfairly," Trump said when asked if he was planning to pardon Stone as well. But Trump did grant full pardons and commutations to other figures, the White House revealed in a statement later Tuesday. Pardons were given to former Symplicity CEO Ariel Friedler, who in 2014 admitted conspiring to hack into his competitors' computer systems; Paul Pogue, who pleaded guilty to underpaying on his taxes over a three-year period; David Safavian, who was convicted of perjury; and Angela Stanton, a Trump-supporting television personality. Trump also granted commutations to Tynice Nicole Hall and Crystal Munoz, both of whom were given lengthy prison sentences for drug-related offenses. He also signed an order granting a commutation for Judith Negron, who was sentenced to 35 years behind bars for Medicare fraud. Correction: Rod Blagojevich began serving his prison sentence in 2012. An earlier version misstated the year.


cnbc--2020-02-20--Mike Bloomberg sees Bernie Sanders as the only 2020 Democratic candidate who threatens his possible

Mike Bloomberg sees Bernie Sanders as the only 2020 Democratic candidate who threatens his possible nomination

Mike Bloomberg 's campaign said on Tuesday that it sees Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , as the only threat to Bloomberg winning the Democratic nomination and defeating Donald Trump in 2020 .
Dan Kanninen , the lead state strategist for Bloomberg 's campaign , led off a briefing with reporters by saying Bloomberg and his team view Sanders as the only other candidate who has a shot at being `` sworn into office next year . ''
When asked why former Vice President Joe Biden was not on his list of candidates who could beat Trump in November , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polling , including in Florida , that he described as showing former front-runner Biden 's status had `` collapsed . ''
`` It 's consistent [ with ] what we are seeing from our own numbers .
It 's consistent [ with ] what we are seeing on the ground , '' the Bloomberg advisor said about Biden 's struggles , while noting the growing crowd size at rallies for the former New York mayor in Florida , Virginia , Arkansas and Oklahoma .
Biden has dropped in recent surveys since his disappointing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while Sanders and Bloomberg have surged .
A Real Clear Politics polling average has Sanders in first , followed by Biden and Bloomberg , who started the race in seventh .

Mike Bloomberg's campaign said on Tuesday that it sees Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., as the only threat to Bloomberg winning the Democratic nomination and defeating Donald Trump in 2020.
Dan Kanninen, the lead state strategist for Bloomberg's campaign, led off a briefing with reporters by saying Bloomberg and his team view Sanders as the only other candidate who has a shot at being "sworn into office next year."
When asked why former Vice President Joe Biden was not on his list of candidates who could beat Trump in November, Kanninen pointed to a new round of polling, including in Florida, that he described as showing former front-runner Biden's status had "collapsed."
"It's consistent [with] what we are seeing from our own numbers. It's consistent [with] what we are seeing on the ground," the Bloomberg advisor said about Biden's struggles, while noting the growing crowd size at rallies for the former New York mayor in Florida, Virginia, Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Biden has dropped in recent surveys since his disappointing fourth-place finish in the Iowa caucuses, while Sanders and Bloomberg have surged. A Real Clear Politics polling average has Sanders in first, followed by Biden and Bloomberg, who started the race in seventh.


cnbc--2020-02-20--Op-Ed: Think Trump is tough on Twitter? Meet Ambassador Richard Grenell

U.S. envoy for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue , Richard Grenell speaks during a joint press conference held with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic ( not seen ) following their meeting in Belgrade , Serbia on January 24 , 2020 .
When it comes to members of the Trump administration , Twitter giveth and Twitter taketh away .
Most of the political wags and the news media have focused on the downside of President Trump 's Twitter presence since 2015 .
They 've refused to see how Trump justifiably feels the need to bypass a highly critical news media and communicate directly with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appointees and other staffers , the president 's tweets can be a major problem .
Attorney General William Barr openly complained last week about how Trump 's tweets about ongoing investigations and prosecutions make it `` impossible '' to do his job .
Yet while Twitter is clearly a problem for Barr , Trump has found his ultimate tweeting wingman in U.S .
Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell .
As followers of Grenell 's Twitter feed already know , it 's a strong source of condensed and contentious pro-Trump arguments .
That includes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a way not all that different from Trump 's own nasty social media encounters .
Grenell may be a top diplomat , but there 's very little that 's diplomatic about his bare-fisted approach on Twitter .
Grenell 's personal story makes his conspicuous Twitter presence an even bigger asset to the White House .
As the highest ranking openly gay member of the Trump administration , Grenell proves he 's far from an example of tokenism with every statement and slamming tweet .
He 's clearly a part of the team , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's taken an aggressive lead role in the administration 's battle to decriminalize homosexuality across the globe .
Grenell also has a long history of more aggressive online behaviors , something that emerged during his brief and tumultuous tenure as the foreign policy spokesman for Mitt Romney 's 2012 presidential campaign .

U.S. envoy for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Richard Grenell speaks during a joint press conference held with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (not seen) following their meeting in Belgrade, Serbia on January 24, 2020.
When it comes to members of the Trump administration, Twitter giveth and Twitter taketh away.
Most of the political wags and the news media have focused on the downside of President Trump's Twitter presence since 2015. They've refused to see how Trump justifiably feels the need to bypass a highly critical news media and communicate directly with the public.
But for Trump's appointees and other staffers, the president's tweets can be a major problem. Attorney General William Barr openly complained last week about how Trump's tweets about ongoing investigations and prosecutions make it "impossible" to do his job.
Yet while Twitter is clearly a problem for Barr, Trump has found his ultimate tweeting wingman in U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell. As followers of Grenell's Twitter feed already know, it's a strong source of condensed and contentious pro-Trump arguments. That includes getting into some sharper-tongued tussles online in a way not all that different from Trump's own nasty social media encounters.
Grenell may be a top diplomat, but there's very little that's diplomatic about his bare-fisted approach on Twitter.
Grenell's personal story makes his conspicuous Twitter presence an even bigger asset to the White House. As the highest ranking openly gay member of the Trump administration, Grenell proves he's far from an example of tokenism with every statement and slamming tweet.
He's clearly a part of the team, not just for show, as he's taken an aggressive lead role in the administration's battle to decriminalize homosexuality across the globe.
Grenell also has a long history of more aggressive online behaviors, something that emerged during his brief and tumultuous tenure as the foreign policy spokesman for Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign.


cnbc--2020-02-19--Mike Bloomberg builds an 'army' of elite business leaders to act as surrogates for his campaign

Dozens of elite business leaders have joined Mike Bloomberg 's `` army '' of surrogates in a bid to help him win the Democratic presidential nomination .
The leaders have signed onto a group called the Committee for Mike , whose organizers call on participants to publicly endorse Bloomberg 's campaign , push their networks to vote for him , appear at events and potentially attend briefings with Bloomberg himself , according to people with direct knowledge of the matter .
Several of the people in the surrogate program have known Bloomberg for years .
Former Morgan Stanley CEO John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bloomberg Philanthropies board of directors .
Bloomberg once called former American Express CEO Ken Chenault , another member of the program , a `` friend '' in a 2013 interview with New York Magazine .
CNBC acquired a partial list of surrogates from these people , who declined to be named due to the decisions having been made in private .
Since Bloomberg , who has a net worth of about $ 60 billion , is self-funding his campaign , the support from these business leaders could take money off the board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these supporters have donated to rival campaigns , such as former Vice President Joe Biden 's and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg 's .
`` I am fully committed to Mike , '' Mack told CNBC .
Mack was on a guest list for a fundraising event featuring former Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday but he noted he did not go to the gathering because of his support for Bloomberg .
The development comes as Bloomberg surges in polls while one-time front-runner Biden sinks .
Since Bloomberg jumped into the primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from seventh place to third , according to a Real Clear Politics polling average .
Meanwhile , Biden has dropped into second behind Sen. Bernie Sanders .
Biden placed fourth in the Iowa caucuses and fifth in the New Hampshire primary .
He is seeking to rebound with decisive wins in Nevada and South Carolina , which hold their nominating contests later this month .
Bloomberg himself wo n't be on any state ballot until Super Tuesday , March 3 , when delegate-rich states like Texas and California hold their primaries .
Others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rockefeller , Loews CEO James Tisch , BET co-founder Sheila Johnson and Ariel Investments co-CEO Mellody Hobson , who is married to `` Star Wars '' creator George Lucas .
John Rogers , the other CEO of Ariel , is also part of the organization and has publicly acknowledged that he is supporting Bloomberg after he previously backed Sen. Kamala Harris , who withdrew from the race in December .
Rogers reportedly attended a Bloomberg rally in Chicago in early February as the billionaire former New York mayor opened campaign offices throughout the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign aide to Hillary Clinton who was also once finance chair of the Democratic National Committee , is also part of the program .
Committee member Gilbert Garcia , a managing partner at a Texas-based asset management firm , said he first got to know Bloomberg at a 2015 New York award ceremony where he , Bloomberg and other business leaders were honored for their work helping young people develop a career on Wall Street .
Garcia explained in an interview that the committee was the equivalent to Bloomberg 's `` ground troops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the one out there , in the day to day trenches for him . ''
`` I 've been listening to the calls , I talk to a lot of the senior staff and at the end of the day , when he is in Dallas , I call my contacts to go show .
When he is going to Houston , I tell my contacts to go , '' he said .
`` This committee is essentially his army and they are all top-notch players . ''

Dozens of elite business leaders have joined Mike Bloomberg's "army" of surrogates in a bid to help him win the Democratic presidential nomination.
The leaders have signed onto a group called the Committee for Mike, whose organizers call on participants to publicly endorse Bloomberg's campaign, push their networks to vote for him, appear at events and potentially attend briefings with Bloomberg himself, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter.
Several of the people in the surrogate program have known Bloomberg for years. Former Morgan Stanley CEO John Mack, for instance, is on the Bloomberg Philanthropies board of directors. Bloomberg once called former American Express CEO Ken Chenault, another member of the program, a "friend" in a 2013 interview with New York Magazine. CNBC acquired a partial list of surrogates from these people, who declined to be named due to the decisions having been made in private.
Since Bloomberg, who has a net worth of about $60 billion, is self-funding his campaign, the support from these business leaders could take money off the board for other Democratic candidates. Some of these supporters have donated to rival campaigns, such as former Vice President Joe Biden's and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg's.
"I am fully committed to Mike," Mack told CNBC. Mack was on a guest list for a fundraising event featuring former Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday but he noted he did not go to the gathering because of his support for Bloomberg.
The development comes as Bloomberg surges in polls while one-time front-runner Biden sinks. Since Bloomberg jumped into the primary race in November, he has jumped from seventh place to third, according to a Real Clear Politics polling average.
Meanwhile, Biden has dropped into second behind Sen. Bernie Sanders. Biden placed fourth in the Iowa caucuses and fifth in the New Hampshire primary. He is seeking to rebound with decisive wins in Nevada and South Carolina, which hold their nominating contests later this month. Bloomberg himself won't be on any state ballot until Super Tuesday, March 3, when delegate-rich states like Texas and California hold their primaries.
Others in the Bloomberg surrogate group include Susan Rockefeller, Loews CEO James Tisch, BET co-founder Sheila Johnson and Ariel Investments co-CEO Mellody Hobson, who is married to "Star Wars" creator George Lucas.
John Rogers, the other CEO of Ariel, is also part of the organization and has publicly acknowledged that he is supporting Bloomberg after he previously backed Sen. Kamala Harris, who withdrew from the race in December. Rogers reportedly attended a Bloomberg rally in Chicago in early February as the billionaire former New York mayor opened campaign offices throughout the state. Beth Dozoretz, a former campaign aide to Hillary Clinton who was also once finance chair of the Democratic National Committee, is also part of the program.
Committee member Gilbert Garcia, a managing partner at a Texas-based asset management firm, said he first got to know Bloomberg at a 2015 New York award ceremony where he, Bloomberg and other business leaders were honored for their work helping young people develop a career on Wall Street. Garcia explained in an interview that the committee was the equivalent to Bloomberg's "ground troops" who "are going to be the one out there, in the day to day trenches for him."
"I've been listening to the calls, I talk to a lot of the senior staff and at the end of the day, when he is in Dallas, I call my contacts to go show. When he is going to Houston, I tell my contacts to go," he said. "This committee is essentially his army and they are all top-notch players."


cnbc--2020-02-20--Elizabeth Warren reverses her position on super PAC support as she seeks comeback

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-MA ) greets supporters at a canvass kickoff event at one of her campaign offices on February 20 , 2020 in North Las Vegas , Nevada .
Nevada Democrats will hold their presidential caucuses on February 22 , the third nominating contest in the presidential primary season .
LAS VEGAS – Sen. Elizabeth Warren reversed her position on rejecting super PAC support on Thursday as she seeks a comeback in the Democratic presidential primary .
Warren , who has previously said that she would disavow the support of a super PAC that sought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told reporters that she had changed her mind after failing to get her rivals to join her in repudiating the outside spending groups .
The reversal is a dramatic change of heart for the Massachusetts progressive .
Warren boasted during the Democratic debate in New Hampshire earlier this month that only she and Sen. Amy Klobuchar lacked super PAC backers .
But , on Thursday , Warren said that the fact that only the `` two women '' did n't have super PAC support was `` just not right . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If all the candidates want to get rid of super PACs , count me in .
I 'll lead the charge , '' Warren said .
`` But that 's how it has to be .
It ca n't be the case that a bunch of people keep them and only one or two do n't . ''
A super PAC backing Klobuchar , called Kitchen Table Conversations , filed paperwork with the FEC on Friday .
`` So look , the first day I got in this race over a year ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate who comes in will agree – no super PACs for any of us .
I renewed that call dozens of times , '' Warren said .
And I could n't get a single Democrat to go along with it . ''
`` Finally , we reached the point a few weeks ago where all of the men who were still in this race and on the debate stage all had either super PACs or they were mutibillionaires and could just rummage around their sock drawers and find enough money to be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Sen. Bernie Sanders does not have a dedicated super PAC backing his bid , although the super PAC connected to the nurse 's union National Nurses United , which has endorsed Sanders , is supporting him .
The group has spent about $ 400,000 on radio ads , according to The Nevada Independent .
The nonprofit political organization Our Revolution also serves a similar role for Sanders .
Unlike a super PAC , Our Revolution is not required to disclose its donors .
A super PAC backing Warren , called `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Federal Election Commission on Tuesday .
The group immediately began airing television ads in Nevada showing former President Barack Obama praising the senator .
The group has spent $ 1.7 million on television advertisements Nevada and South Carolina , according to Medium Buying , an ad buying firm .
The super PAC 's donors will not be publicly disclosed until after Nevada and South Carolina host their nominating contests this month .
Nevada 's caucuses are Saturday , and South Carolina 's primary is Feb. 29 .
On Wednesday , Warren released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should disavow super PAC support but not directly instructing Resist PAC to quit its efforts .
Her website continues to say that Warren `` would disavow any super PAC formed to support her in the Democratic primary . ''
Warren 's previous rejection of super PAC support was of a piece with her grassroots campaign ethos .
Like Sanders , Warren also shuns big-dollar campaign fundraisers .
Representatives for the campaign did not say whether her new stance on super PACs would affect her other campaign finance pledges .
Super PACs , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from coordinating with candidates .
Warren 's comments on Thursday came shortly after a lively event with supporters at a campaign field office in North Las Vegas , where Warren repeated the highlights from the Las Vegas debate the night before .
Warren , during both the debate and the campaign event , skewered billionaire Mike Bloomberg , the former mayor of New York , who has been plowing hundreds of millions of dollars into a bid for the Democratic nomination .
`` Last night was a lot of fun , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` Because for me , it 's about accountability .
I 've really had it with billionaires , regardless of party , who think the rules do n't apply to them . ''
Bloomberg , who will not be on any ballots in Nevada , has been rocketing skyward in national polling averages in recent weeks as Warren has declined .
But Warren cast aside the notion that she intended to drop out of the race any time soon .
`` Give Mitch McConnell a call and see how telling that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works , '' Warren said .
`` All I can say is we are just getting started . ''
Warren 's campaign announced on Thursday that her campaign raised more than $ 5 million since Wednesday 's debate .
Wednesday , the campaign said , was its best fundraising debate day of the entire cycle .

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) greets supporters at a canvass kickoff event at one of her campaign offices on February 20, 2020 in North Las Vegas, Nevada. Nevada Democrats will hold their presidential caucuses on February 22, the third nominating contest in the presidential primary season.
LAS VEGAS – Sen. Elizabeth Warren reversed her position on rejecting super PAC support on Thursday as she seeks a comeback in the Democratic presidential primary.
Warren, who has previously said that she would disavow the support of a super PAC that sought to aid her bid for the presidency, told reporters that she had changed her mind after failing to get her rivals to join her in repudiating the outside spending groups.
The reversal is a dramatic change of heart for the Massachusetts progressive. Warren boasted during the Democratic debate in New Hampshire earlier this month that only she and Sen. Amy Klobuchar lacked super PAC backers.
But, on Thursday, Warren said that the fact that only the "two women" didn't have super PAC support was "just not right."
"So here's where I stand. If all the candidates want to get rid of super PACs, count me in. I'll lead the charge," Warren said. "But that's how it has to be. It can't be the case that a bunch of people keep them and only one or two don't."
A super PAC backing Klobuchar, called Kitchen Table Conversations, filed paperwork with the FEC on Friday.
"So look, the first day I got in this race over a year ago, I said I hope every presidential candidate who comes in will agree – no super PACs for any of us. I renewed that call dozens of times," Warren said. "And I couldn't get a single Democrat to go along with it."
"Finally, we reached the point a few weeks ago where all of the men who were still in this race and on the debate stage all had either super PACs or they were multibillionaires and could just rummage around their sock drawers and find enough money to be able to fund a campaign," she said.


cnbc--2020-02-20--Bloomberg's addition to the Democratic debate stage leads to viewership surge

Almost 20 million television viewers tuned in to watch the ninth Democratic debate on Wednesday , according to Nielsen Fast National Data .
It was the first debate to feature former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg .
Six rivals — Bloomberg , former Vice President Joe Biden , Sens .
Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, and Amy Klobuchar , D-Minn. , and former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg — spent two hours Wednesday night duking it out at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino .
It was the most pugnacious debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crucial Nevada caucuses .
Almost every Democratic candidate took a swing at the debate newcomer .
Bloomberg , who jumped into the race in November and is not on the ballot in Nevada , did not qualify for previous debates because his campaign does not take contributions and so it did n't meet donor thresholds .
The Democratic National Committee dropped the donor requirement in January , paving the way for Bloomberg to join the fray .
Bloomberg 's addition to the stage on Wednesday may have contributed to the surge ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blitz might have tuned in to see how he would fare in a live setting pitted against his rivals .
In addition to the nearly 20 million who caught the debate that aired on NBC News and MSNBC , 13.5 million viewers watched the debate online over a livestream .
The first Democratic debate in June drew 18.1 million viewers and was also hosted by NBC News and MSNBC .
Viewership tapered off following the first debate , with the others drawing less than 10 million views each night , according to Deadline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Comcast , which also owns CNBC .

A television image of democratic presidential hopeful Mike Bloomberg is shown in a bar at a casino near the Paris Theater during the Nevada Debate in Las Vegas. Jeremy Hogan | Echoes Wire | Barcroft Media | Getty Images
Almost 20 million television viewers tuned in to watch the ninth Democratic debate on Wednesday, according to Nielsen Fast National Data. It was the first debate to feature former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg. Six rivals — Bloomberg, former Vice President Joe Biden, Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg — spent two hours Wednesday night duking it out at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino.
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It was the most pugnacious debate so far and came three days before the crucial Nevada caucuses. Almost every Democratic candidate took a swing at the debate newcomer. Bloomberg, who jumped into the race in November and is not on the ballot in Nevada, did not qualify for previous debates because his campaign does not take contributions and so it didn't meet donor thresholds. The Democratic National Committee dropped the donor requirement in January, paving the way for Bloomberg to join the fray. Bloomberg's addition to the stage on Wednesday may have contributed to the surge; television viewers inundated by his campaign ad blitz might have tuned in to see how he would fare in a live setting pitted against his rivals. In addition to the nearly 20 million who caught the debate that aired on NBC News and MSNBC, 13.5 million viewers watched the debate online over a livestream.
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cnbc--2020-02-20--Elizabeth Warren buys full-page ad slamming Sheldon Adelson in his own newspaper day after debate

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-MA ) is interviewed on MSNBC inside the spin room at Bally 's Las Vegas Hotel & Casino after the Democratic presidential primary debate on February 19 , 2020 in Las Vegas , Nevada .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren is not letting up on billionaires .
In a bold move , the Massachusetts lawmaker took out a full-page ad Thursday revealing how much billionaire Sheldon Adelson would pay under her wealth tax — in his own newspaper .
Adelson , who has a net worth of $ 39.6 billion , according to the ad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taxes in the first year under her plan .
The figure represents `` less than 6 % of his wealth , '' the ad reads .
`` With that small wealth tax , we can invest in Nevada families , '' the ad in the Las Vegas Review-Journal reads in bold print .
The ad lists four potential areas in which the money can be spent : cancellation of student debt in the state , 91,000 more families eligible for free childcare , additional funding for nearly 500,000 school students , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colleges in Nevada .
The ad is not the first time Warren has singled out Adelson .
In October , Warren in a tweet called him `` a casino tycoon & 1 of Trump 's billionaire buddies . ''
Adelson is CEO of Las Vegas Sands .
Adelson is a top Republican donor who 's been a full-throated defender of President Donald Trump .
He was a top financier for Trump 's 2016 presidential campaign .
Warren 's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
The ad buy comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg on a debate stage , during which she pressed him on his record with women and female employees and slammed him for trying to buy the election .
Bloomberg has spent more than $ 400 million of his personal fortune on campaign advertising .

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is interviewed on MSNBC inside the spin room at Bally's Las Vegas Hotel & Casino after the Democratic presidential primary debate on February 19, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren is not letting up on billionaires.
In a bold move, the Massachusetts lawmaker took out a full-page ad Thursday revealing how much billionaire Sheldon Adelson would pay under her wealth tax — in his own newspaper.
Adelson, who has a net worth of $39.6 billion, according to the ad, would pay $2.3 billion in taxes in the first year under her plan.
The figure represents "less than 6% of his wealth," the ad reads.
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"With that small wealth tax, we can invest in Nevada families," the ad in the Las Vegas Review-Journal reads in bold print.
The ad lists four potential areas in which the money can be spent: cancellation of student debt in the state, 91,000 more families eligible for free childcare, additional funding for nearly 500,000 school students, and the elimination of tuition in public universities and colleges in Nevada.
The ad is not the first time Warren has singled out Adelson. In October, Warren in a tweet called him "a casino tycoon & 1 of Trump's billionaire buddies." Adelson is CEO of Las Vegas Sands .
Warren tweet
Adelson is a top Republican donor who's been a full-throated defender of President Donald Trump. He was a top financier for Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.
Warren's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The ad buy comes a day after Warren took on former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg on a debate stage, during which she pressed him on his record with women and female employees and slammed him for trying to buy the election. Bloomberg has spent more than $400 million of his personal fortune on campaign advertising.


cnbc--2020-02-20--Roger Stone sentenced to over 3 years in prison as judge slams him for 'covering up for' Trump

A federal judge sentenced President Donald Trump 's friend , longtime Republican operative Roger Stone , on Thursday to more than three years in prison for lying to Congress and tampering with a witness in an effort to protect Trump .
`` He was not prosecuted , as some have complained , for standing up for the president , he was prosecuted for covering up for the president , '' said Judge Amy Berman Jackson about Stone , who showed no visible emotion when he was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Washington , D.C. `` The truth still exists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stone 's insistence that it does n't ... are a threat to our most fundamental institutions , '' Jackson said in a blistering denunciation of Stone , who lied about efforts to obtain damaging emails related to Hillary Clinton 's 2016 Democratic presidential campaign that were stolen by Russian agents .
The judge said that Stone 's crimes should arouse `` dismay and disgust '' that `` transcend '' political affiliation , before ordering him to serve 40 months in prison , pay a $ 20,000 fine , spend two years of supervised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service .
But Stone , 67 , will not have to serve that sentence just yet — and possibly not ever .
The judge suspended imposition of all of the punishments pending her ruling on a request by Stone for a new trial on the grounds of alleged misconduct by a juror in his trial last fall .
If Jackson approves that request — which was spurred by revelations that the jury forewoman had posted messages critical of Trump on Twitter — the sentence that the judge announced Thursday will be void .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of probation , also could be granted a pardon by Trump .
Stone 's supporters have called on the president to issue a pardon for him .
Trump , who has not ruled out issuing a pardon , has repeatedly criticized the case against his former advisor , and tweeted about it , yet again , during the sentencing hearing .
If Stone is pardoned , his conviction would be voided , and he would not face any criminal sentence .
Thursday 's hearing capped more than a week of controversy over Stone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General William Barr and Trump improperly interfered in the prosecution due to political considerations and because of Trump 's long relationship with Stone .
Barr forced the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia , whose office handled the case , to recommend a more lenient prison term than the seven to nine years that trial prosecutors in the case originally proposed early last week The four trial prosecutors quit the case in protest as the U.S. attorney filed a new sentencing memo a day after their own recommendation was filed .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' time in prison , but did not specify exactly how long he should be incarcerated .
But John Crabb , the new prosecutor in the case , told Jackson on Thursday that Stone should receive `` a substantial period of incarceration . ''
The prison term sentence Jackson announced was markedly less than not only the original suggestion by prosecutors , but also less than the minimum term of nearly six years suggested by federal sentencing guidelines as calculated during Thursday 's hearing .
`` I 'm doing OK , '' Stone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courtroom dressed in a black pinstripe suit , blue shirt and blue tie .
Some protesters heckled Stone with chants of `` lock him up ! ''
as he entered a car outside the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse and was driven away .
But supporters called out `` pardon Roger Stone ! ''
and `` Roger Stone did nothing wrong ! ''
Stone did not respond when CNBC repeatedly asked him if he believes Trump will pardon him .
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , said in a Twitter post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be a breathtaking act of corruption . ''
Stone did not make a statement on his own behalf at the sentencing , a decision that could reflect his plans to appeal his conviction and a wish to avoid harming his defense at a second trial .
Jackson at the hearing dismissed arguments by Trump and other defenders of Stone that the the prosecution against him was politically motivated .
The judge also called Trump 's tweets about Stone `` inappropriate , '' but also said she would not hold them against Stone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against his ally a `` disgrace , '' Jackson said , `` There was nothing unfair , phony , or disgraceful about the investigation or the prosecution . ''
She said that Stone , who reveled in cultivating a `` dirty trickster '' image , `` characteristically injected himself '' in the issue of a hack of Democratic emails by Russian agents by claiming he had access to Julian Assange , co-founder of the document disclosure group WikiLeaks .
WikiLeaks ended up releasing those emails during the 2016 presidential election .
Stone then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his efforts to get access to those emails , the judge noted .
Jackson said that Stone lied because he knew that public disclosures that he was in touch with WikiLeaks would `` reflect badly '' on Trump .
Jackson early in the hearing ruled against most arguments by Stone 's attorneys related to the calculation of federal sentencing guidelines , which provide judges with a possible framework on which to base their punishment of a defendant .
Jackson said Stone should be penalized in that calculation for threatening violence against a witness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dog , and for obstructing a House committee 's work in investigating Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election .
Crabb , the prosecutor , apologized to Jackson for what he called `` confusion '' over the sentencing recommendation .
Crabb also said that the first recommendation `` was done in good faith , '' and also said that `` this prosecution is righteous . ''
But Crabb also told the judge that he was not free to discuss who wrote the second sentencing memo that had recommended a much shorter term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed that memo .
The prosecutor also did not object to Jackson including a set of `` enhancements '' to Stone 's sentencing guidelines which called for a prison term as long as 87 months .
Stone 's lawyer , Seth Ginsberg , urged Jackson to consider Stone 's generous character , and to separate Stone 's notoriously brash and unapologetic public persona from his private acts of charity .
`` Mr. Stone has many admirable qualities , '' said Ginsberg , who noted repeatedly that Stone was an elderly man with no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not doubt that portrayal , noting that she had read each of the many letters sent to her by Stone 's supporters .
But she added that judging Stone 's character is not her job .
`` I am not passing judgment on Roger Stone as a man .
That calls on a higher authority , '' Jackson said .
Stone was convicted at trial in November of charges related to false statements he gave a House committee in 2017 .
The statements were related to his contacts with Trump 's campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stone sought to get information about emails stolen by Russian agents from Clinton 's campaign manager and the Democratic National Committee .
Those emails , which were seen as embarrassing to Democratic nominee Clinton , were made public by WikiLeaks .
Stone also was convicted of witness tampering for threatening an associate , the comedian Randy Credico , in an effort to get him to corroborate his lies to Congress .
Stone had falsely claimed that Credico was his conduit to WikiLeaks .
Prosecutors said at Stone 's trial that he kept Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learned about WikiLeaks ' plans for releasing the emails .
But Stone had told the House committee he had no such conversations with the Trump campaign about WikiLeaks .
The case was lodged in early 2019 by then special counsel Robert Mueller 's office .
Mueller previously obtained convictions of Stone 's former business partner , Paul Manafort , who headed Trump 's 2016 campaign for several months .
Manafort , who is serving a 7½-year prison sentence , was convicted of financial crimes related to his work for a pro-Russia political party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his tenure on the Trump campaign .
Another former business partner of Manafort 's , ex-Trump campaign official Rick Gates , testified at Stone 's trial that Trump talked to Stone about WikiLeaks during the 2016 campaign , and that Gates himself had spoken with Stone about information expected to be released by WikiLeaks .
A year earlier , in November 2018 , Trump in written answers to Mueller , said , `` I do not recall discussing WikiLeaks with '' Stone , `` nor do I recall Mr. Stone having discussed WikiLeaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentenced by Jackson in December to 45 days in jail for conspiracy and for making a false statement .
Those crimes related to his work in Ukraine with Manafort .
Stone 's former associate , Credico , in a letter to Jackson last month , said that sending Stone to prison would be `` cruelty . ''
Credico urged the judge to give Stone a sentence of probation for the five counts of false statements , and one count each of obstruction of proceedings and witness tampering .
His letter said that Stone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an insecure person who craves and recklessly pursues attention . ''
But Jackson , quoting that line , said Thursday , `` The problem is : nothing about this case was a joke . ''
`` It was n't funny , '' the judge said .
`` It was n't a stunt and it was n't a prank . ''
Stone 's friend and staffer , Kristin Davis , said in a text message to NBC News that , `` It 's rather odd to me to pronounce sentence before we have ascertained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` There is serious undisputed Juror misconduct here in anti-Trump , anti-Republican and anti-Stone tweets and if Judge Jackson does not recognize it , it will be the solid grounds for an appeal , '' Davis wrote .
`` Roger Stone continues to be gagged , stripping him of his first amendment right and ability to make a living .
By moving forward with sentencing and continuing to silence Stone it seems very clear that the truth does n't matter .
It falls on President Trump to use the power of a pardon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ balances to right this horrible wrong . ''
Davis 's claims that Stone can not earn a living were discounted by Jackson at the hearing .
The judge noted that although she has barred Stone from talking about the case publicly , he still can give speeches and and do other things to earn money .
And having political views is not tantamount to `` misconduct '' for a juror .
Jackson during the hearing pointedly praised the trial jurors for being impartial .
More than 2,000 former Justice Department employees have publicly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reversal of the career prosecutors ' sentencing recommendation in the case .
`` Each of us strongly condemns President Trump 's and Attorney General Barr 's interference in the fair administration of justice , '' the letter said , specifically citing the Stone case .
Correction : John Crabb is the new prosecutor in Stone 's case .
An earlier version misspelled his name .

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A federal judge sentenced President Donald Trump's friend, longtime Republican operative Roger Stone, on Thursday to more than three years in prison for lying to Congress and tampering with a witness in an effort to protect Trump. "He was not prosecuted, as some have complained, for standing up for the president, he was prosecuted for covering up for the president," said Judge Amy Berman Jackson about Stone, who showed no visible emotion when he was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. "The truth still exists, the truth still matters. Roger Stone's insistence that it doesn't ... are a threat to our most fundamental institutions," Jackson said in a blistering denunciation of Stone, who lied about efforts to obtain damaging emails related to Hillary Clinton's 2016 Democratic presidential campaign that were stolen by Russian agents. The judge said that Stone's crimes should arouse "dismay and disgust" that "transcend" political affiliation, before ordering him to serve 40 months in prison, pay a $20,000 fine, spend two years of supervised release and perform 250 hours of community service. But Stone, 67, will not have to serve that sentence just yet — and possibly not ever. The judge suspended imposition of all of the punishments pending her ruling on a request by Stone for a new trial on the grounds of alleged misconduct by a juror in his trial last fall. If Jackson approves that request — which was spurred by revelations that the jury forewoman had posted messages critical of Trump on Twitter — the sentence that the judge announced Thursday will be void. Stone, whose lawyers requested a sentence of probation, also could be granted a pardon by Trump. Stone's supporters have called on the president to issue a pardon for him. Trump, who has not ruled out issuing a pardon, has repeatedly criticized the case against his former advisor, and tweeted about it, yet again, during the sentencing hearing. Tweet If Stone is pardoned, his conviction would be voided, and he would not face any criminal sentence. Thursday's hearing capped more than a week of controversy over Stone's case, and accusations that Attorney General William Barr and Trump improperly interfered in the prosecution due to political considerations and because of Trump's long relationship with Stone.
Former Trump campaign adviser Roger Stone departs following his sentencing hearing at U.S. District Court in Washington, February 20, 2020. Mary F. Calvert | Reuters
Barr forced the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, whose office handled the case, to recommend a more lenient prison term than the seven to nine years that trial prosecutors in the case originally proposed early last week The four trial prosecutors quit the case in protest as the U.S. attorney filed a new sentencing memo a day after their own recommendation was filed. That new memo called for "far less" time in prison, but did not specify exactly how long he should be incarcerated. But John Crabb, the new prosecutor in the case, told Jackson on Thursday that Stone should receive "a substantial period of incarceration." The prison term sentence Jackson announced was markedly less than not only the original suggestion by prosecutors, but also less than the minimum term of nearly six years suggested by federal sentencing guidelines as calculated during Thursday's hearing. "I'm doing OK," Stone told a reporter as he left the courtroom dressed in a black pinstripe suit, blue shirt and blue tie. Some protesters heckled Stone with chants of "lock him up!" as he entered a car outside the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse and was driven away. But supporters called out "pardon Roger Stone!" and "Roger Stone did nothing wrong!" Stone did not respond when CNBC repeatedly asked him if he believes Trump will pardon him. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said in a Twitter post that if Trump pardoned Stone it "would be a breathtaking act of corruption." Tweet Stone did not make a statement on his own behalf at the sentencing, a decision that could reflect his plans to appeal his conviction and a wish to avoid harming his defense at a second trial. Jackson at the hearing dismissed arguments by Trump and other defenders of Stone that the the prosecution against him was politically motivated. The judge also called Trump's tweets about Stone "inappropriate," but also said she would not hold them against Stone. While Trump has called the case against his ally a "disgrace," Jackson said, "There was nothing unfair, phony, or disgraceful about the investigation or the prosecution." She said that Stone, who reveled in cultivating a "dirty trickster" image, "characteristically injected himself" in the issue of a hack of Democratic emails by Russian agents by claiming he had access to Julian Assange, co-founder of the document disclosure group WikiLeaks. WikiLeaks ended up releasing those emails during the 2016 presidential election. Stone then lied to Congress a year later about his efforts to get access to those emails, the judge noted. Jackson said that Stone lied because he knew that public disclosures that he was in touch with WikiLeaks would "reflect badly" on Trump. Jackson early in the hearing ruled against most arguments by Stone's attorneys related to the calculation of federal sentencing guidelines, which provide judges with a possible framework on which to base their punishment of a defendant. Jackson said Stone should be penalized in that calculation for threatening violence against a witness in the case and that witness's dog, and for obstructing a House committee's work in investigating Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Crabb, the prosecutor, apologized to Jackson for what he called "confusion" over the sentencing recommendation. Crabb also said that the first recommendation "was done in good faith," and also said that "this prosecution is righteous." But Crabb also told the judge that he was not free to discuss who wrote the second sentencing memo that had recommended a much shorter term in prison for Stone. Crabb had signed that memo. The prosecutor also did not object to Jackson including a set of "enhancements" to Stone's sentencing guidelines which called for a prison term as long as 87 months. Stone's lawyer, Seth Ginsberg, urged Jackson to consider Stone's generous character, and to separate Stone's notoriously brash and unapologetic public persona from his private acts of charity. "Mr. Stone has many admirable qualities," said Ginsberg, who noted repeatedly that Stone was an elderly man with no prior criminal history. Jackson said she did not doubt that portrayal, noting that she had read each of the many letters sent to her by Stone's supporters. But she added that judging Stone's character is not her job. "I am not passing judgment on Roger Stone as a man. That calls on a higher authority," Jackson said. Stone was convicted at trial in November of charges related to false statements he gave a House committee in 2017. The statements were related to his contacts with Trump's campaign during the 2016 presidential election, as Stone sought to get information about emails stolen by Russian agents from Clinton's campaign manager and the Democratic National Committee. Those emails, which were seen as embarrassing to Democratic nominee Clinton, were made public by WikiLeaks. Stone also was convicted of witness tampering for threatening an associate, the comedian Randy Credico, in an effort to get him to corroborate his lies to Congress. Stone had falsely claimed that Credico was his conduit to WikiLeaks.
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Prosecutors said at Stone's trial that he kept Trump's camp aware of what he had learned about WikiLeaks' plans for releasing the emails. But Stone had told the House committee he had no such conversations with the Trump campaign about WikiLeaks. The case was lodged in early 2019 by then special counsel Robert Mueller's office. Mueller previously obtained convictions of Stone's former business partner, Paul Manafort, who headed Trump's 2016 campaign for several months. Manafort, who is serving a 7½-year prison sentence, was convicted of financial crimes related to his work for a pro-Russia political party in Ukraine. That work occurred before his tenure on the Trump campaign. Another former business partner of Manafort's, ex-Trump campaign official Rick Gates, testified at Stone's trial that Trump talked to Stone about WikiLeaks during the 2016 campaign, and that Gates himself had spoken with Stone about information expected to be released by WikiLeaks.
Outside federal courthouse before sentencing of Roger Stone, Feb. 20, 2020, Kevin Breuninger | CNBC
A year earlier, in November 2018, Trump in written answers to Mueller, said, "I do not recall discussing WikiLeaks with" Stone, "nor do I recall Mr. Stone having discussed WikiLeaks with my campaign." Gates was sentenced by Jackson in December to 45 days in jail for conspiracy and for making a false statement. Those crimes related to his work in Ukraine with Manafort. Stone's former associate, Credico, in a letter to Jackson last month, said that sending Stone to prison would be "cruelty." Credico urged the judge to give Stone a sentence of probation for the five counts of false statements, and one count each of obstruction of proceedings and witness tampering. His letter said that Stone was, "at his core ... an insecure person who craves and recklessly pursues attention." But Jackson, quoting that line, said Thursday, "The problem is: nothing about this case was a joke." "It wasn't funny," the judge said. "It wasn't a stunt and it wasn't a prank." Stone's friend and staffer, Kristin Davis, said in a text message to NBC News that, "It's rather odd to me to pronounce sentence before we have ascertained the integrity of the trial." "There is serious undisputed Juror misconduct here in anti-Trump, anti-Republican and anti-Stone tweets and if Judge Jackson does not recognize it, it will be the solid grounds for an appeal," Davis wrote. "Roger Stone continues to be gagged, stripping him of his first amendment right and ability to make a living. By moving forward with sentencing and continuing to silence Stone it seems very clear that the truth doesn't matter. It falls on President Trump to use the power of a pardon as the final means of checks and balances to right this horrible wrong." Davis's claims that Stone cannot earn a living were discounted by Jackson at the hearing. The judge noted that although she has barred Stone from talking about the case publicly, he still can give speeches and and do other things to earn money. And having political views is not tantamount to "misconduct" for a juror. Jackson during the hearing pointedly praised the trial jurors for being impartial. More than 2,000 former Justice Department employees have publicly called on Barr to resign for his reversal of the career prosecutors' sentencing recommendation in the case. "Each of us strongly condemns President Trump's and Attorney General Barr's interference in the fair administration of justice," the letter said, specifically citing the Stone case. Correction: John Crabb is the new prosecutor in Stone's case. An earlier version misspelled his name.


cnbc--2020-02-20--Op-Ed: Mike Bloomberg is buying the nomination – for Bernie Sanders

Democratic presidential hopefuls Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg ( L ) and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders ( R ) speak during a break in the ninth Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season co-hosted by NBC News , MSNBC , Noticias Telemundo and The Nevada Independent at the Paris Theater in Las Vegas , Nevada , on February 19 , 2020 .
As soon as Mike Bloomberg entered the race , astute political observers began wondering what historic effect his candidacy and unlimited financial resources would have on this election .
It now looks like we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but Bloomberg has suddenly done three things that no one else has ever been ever to do for Sanders and his presidential aspirations : given him a killer instinct against a primary opponent , proven Sanders has a point about billionaire influence in politics and pushed a key gender-based attack away from his campaign .
First off , Bloomberg has finally shaken Sanders into directly attacking an opponent other than President Trump .
Before Bloomberg 's entry into the race , Sanders was following a familiar pattern that he started in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on her personal email server scandal .
He was repeating that tendency by refusing to even mention the corruption accusations against Joe Biden 's family .
That helped Biden immensely .
But it 's clearly a bridge too far for Sanders to lay off the former New York City mayor , his huge campaign spending machine , and his long history of embracing Republican and conservative policies .
Sanders knows that giving a billionaire oligarch like Bloomberg a pass would destroy his own brand as a political warrior against the billionaire class .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushing him to do the necessary attack messaging against at least one of his primary opponents .
Anyone watching the Democratic Presidential debate in Las Vegas Wednesday night saw Sanders go after Bloomberg in ways he never did against Clinton and Biden , and it does n't look like it 's going to be a one-shot deal .
Then there 's Bloomberg himself , who is providing living proof of so many of the things Sanders has been railing about for years .
It 's one thing for Sanders to warn about billionaires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment , and demanding an outsized level of influence in politics and the economy .

As soon as Mike Bloomberg entered the race, astute political observers began wondering what historic effect his candidacy and unlimited financial resources would have on this election.
It now looks like we have an answer.
Bloomberg is helping Bernie Sanders win.
This may be unintentional, but Bloomberg has suddenly done three things that no one else has ever been ever to do for Sanders and his presidential aspirations: given him a killer instinct against a primary opponent, proven Sanders has a point about billionaire influence in politics and pushed a key gender-based attack away from his campaign.
First off, Bloomberg has finally shaken Sanders into directly attacking an opponent other than President Trump. Before Bloomberg's entry into the race, Sanders was following a familiar pattern that he started in 2016 when he didn't press Hillary Clinton on her personal email server scandal. He was repeating that tendency by refusing to even mention the corruption accusations against Joe Biden's family. That helped Biden immensely.
But it's clearly a bridge too far for Sanders to lay off the former New York City mayor, his huge campaign spending machine, and his long history of embracing Republican and conservative policies.
Sanders knows that giving a billionaire oligarch like Bloomberg a pass would destroy his own brand as a political warrior against the billionaire class.
As an added bonus, it's pushing him to do the necessary attack messaging against at least one of his primary opponents.
Anyone watching the Democratic Presidential debate in Las Vegas Wednesday night saw Sanders go after Bloomberg in ways he never did against Clinton and Biden, and it doesn't look like it's going to be a one-shot deal.
Then there's Bloomberg himself, who is providing living proof of so many of the things Sanders has been railing about for years. It's one thing for Sanders to warn about billionaires crowding out the competition, getting special treatment, and demanding an outsized level of influence in politics and the economy.


cnbc--2020-02-20--Bloomberg tech company hires top ad executive as campaign continues its digital onslaught

Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg raises his hand to speak during the ninth Democratic 2020 U.S. Presidential candidates debate at the Paris Theater in Las Vegas Nevada , February 19 , 2020 .
The digital company working for Mike Bloomberg 's presidential campaign has hired another executive from a premier advertising firm , as the billionaire former New York mayor 's organization churns out waves of digital content to support his candidacy .
The company , Hawkfish , recently hired Tim Castree , former North America CEO of WPP Group subsidiary GroupM , according to people with direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be named as these decisions have not been made public .
GroupM 's website boasts that the firm directs `` more than $ 50 billion in annual advertising . ''
Castree left in November .
Hawkfish was founded by Bloomberg himself and is dedicated to being his campaign 's `` primary digital agency . ''
The Bloomberg firm has created at least 400 different versions of Bloomberg-related content for his campaign 's digital ads , these people added .
The campaign is aiming to appeal to various voter demographics across the country with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , Bloomberg 's digital ads have depicted him as a staunch advocate for gun control and a problem solver when he was mayor of New York .
When reached for comment , Castree did not deny he was hired by Hawkfish and referred questions about his role to a spokeswoman at the Bloomberg campaign .
A campaign aide confirmed Castree has joined the company .
While the spokeswoman did n't affirm how much content Hawkfish has created for Bloomberg , she said the firm has the ability to quickly assemble and change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump 's campaign .
The development comes to light the day after Bloomberg was hammered by rivals including Sens .
Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, and Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , in Bloomberg 's debut on the Democratic primary debate stage .
The former New York mayor 's performance earned him negative reviews and , at times , boos and groans from the crowd .
Yet , despite some predictions of doom for his candidacy , the Castree hire and the continued content production from Hawkfish show that Bloomberg is prepared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Super Tuesday , March 3 , which is the first time he will be on any ballots in the campaign .
Almost a quarter of primary delegates are up for grabs on that day , including in states such as California and Texas .
Bloomberg , who has risen to third place in Real Clear Politics ' national polling average , has invested more than $ 85 million in digital ads on both Facebook and Google .
That is more than any other Democrat or Trump 's campaign have spent in the presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Acronym .
He entered the race in late November , but his campaign spent more than $ 11 million on Hawkfish services that month .
Moments after publication , the Bloomberg campaign announced they have invested $ 25 million to date into Hawkfish .
The campaign spent in total more than $ 220 million in January .
Castree joins a group of nearly 200 staffers , including senior tech and marketing executives , who have joined Hawkfish .
Hawkfish 's other leaders include longtime Facebook marketing chief Gary Briggs and former Foursquare CEO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-chief information officer at Goldman Sachs , has also joined the Bloomberg firm .
NBC News recently reported that Hawkfish will continue to work for Democrats through the general election if Bloomberg fails to capture the nomination .

Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg raises his hand to speak during the ninth Democratic 2020 U.S. Presidential candidates debate at the Paris Theater in Las Vegas Nevada, February 19, 2020.
The digital company working for Mike Bloomberg's presidential campaign has hired another executive from a premier advertising firm, as the billionaire former New York mayor's organization churns out waves of digital content to support his candidacy.
The company, Hawkfish, recently hired Tim Castree, former North America CEO of WPP Group subsidiary GroupM, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter who declined to be named as these decisions have not been made public. GroupM's website boasts that the firm directs "more than $50 billion in annual advertising." Castree left in November.
Hawkfish was founded by Bloomberg himself and is dedicated to being his campaign's "primary digital agency."
The Bloomberg firm has created at least 400 different versions of Bloomberg-related content for his campaign's digital ads, these people added. The campaign is aiming to appeal to various voter demographics across the country with such an onslaught. So far this month, Bloomberg's digital ads have depicted him as a staunch advocate for gun control and a problem solver when he was mayor of New York.
When reached for comment, Castree did not deny he was hired by Hawkfish and referred questions about his role to a spokeswoman at the Bloomberg campaign. A campaign aide confirmed Castree has joined the company. While the spokeswoman didn't affirm how much content Hawkfish has created for Bloomberg, she said the firm has the ability to quickly assemble and change the message of ads, much like President Donald Trump's campaign.
The development comes to light the day after Bloomberg was hammered by rivals including Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in Bloomberg's debut on the Democratic primary debate stage. The former New York mayor's performance earned him negative reviews and, at times, boos and groans from the crowd.
Yet, despite some predictions of doom for his candidacy, the Castree hire and the continued content production from Hawkfish show that Bloomberg is prepared to hang around the race even beyond Super Tuesday, March 3, which is the first time he will be on any ballots in the campaign. Almost a quarter of primary delegates are up for grabs on that day, including in states such as California and Texas.
Bloomberg, who has risen to third place in Real Clear Politics' national polling average, has invested more than $85 million in digital ads on both Facebook and Google. That is more than any other Democrat or Trump's campaign have spent in the presidential campaign, according to data collected by Acronym. He entered the race in late November, but his campaign spent more than $11 million on Hawkfish services that month. Moments after publication, the Bloomberg campaign announced they have invested $25 million to date into Hawkfish.
The campaign spent in total more than $220 million in January.
Castree joins a group of nearly 200 staffers, including senior tech and marketing executives, who have joined Hawkfish. Hawkfish's other leaders include longtime Facebook marketing chief Gary Briggs and former Foursquare CEO Jeff Glueck. Elisha Wiesel, former co-chief information officer at Goldman Sachs, has also joined the Bloomberg firm.
NBC News recently reported that Hawkfish will continue to work for Democrats through the general election if Bloomberg fails to capture the nomination.


cnbc--2020-02-20--Mike Bloomberg owns a New York condo in a Trump property

Michael Bloomberg , former Mayor of New York City , speaks at CityLab Detroit , a global city summit , @ @ @ @ @ in Detroit , Michigan .
Mike Bloomberg , the 2020 candidate who is using his @ @ @ @ @ defeat President Donald Trump on Election Day , owns a condo in a Trump-managed property @ @ @ @ @ Business reported .
The billionaire bought a unit in one of the Trump Organization 's @ @ @ @ @ in late 2000 , just as he was preparing for his first run for mayor @ @ @ @ @ value of the apartment at 610 Park Avenue in Manhattan is now close to $ @ @ @ @ @ Crain 's .
Neither the Trump Organization nor a Bloomberg campaign representative returned a request @ @ @ @ @ Bloomberg entered the 2020 Democratic race in November , arguing that he would do the @ @ @ @ @ and beating Trump .

Michael Bloomberg, former Mayor of New York City, speaks at CityLab Detroit, a global city summit, on October 29, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan.
Real estate makes strange bedfellows.
Mike Bloomberg, the 2020 candidate who is using his personal fortune to try to defeat President Donald Trump on Election Day, owns a condo in a Trump-managed property, Crain's New York Business reported.
The billionaire bought a unit in one of the Trump Organization's developments for $3.8 million in late 2000, just as he was preparing for his first run for mayor of New York.
The value of the apartment at 610 Park Avenue in Manhattan is now close to $6.2 million, according to Crain's.
Neither the Trump Organization nor a Bloomberg campaign representative returned a request for comment from CNBC.
Bloomberg entered the 2020 Democratic race in November, arguing that he would do the best job of competing with and beating Trump.


cnbc--2020-02-20--Twitter knocks down Bernie Sanders' suggestion that Russian trolls are behind online attacks from hi

Twitter knocks down Bernie Sanders' suggestion that Russian trolls are behind online attacks from his supporters

Democratic presidential hopeful Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders speaks during the ninth Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season co-hosted by NBC News , MSNBC , Noticias Telemundo and The Nevada Independent at the Paris Theater in Las Vegas , Nevada , on February 19 , 2020 .
Twitter did little to lend credence to Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders ' suggestion at the Las Vegas Democratic debate that outside actors could be responsible for abrasive attacks by people claiming to be his supporters online .
At Wednesday 's debate , the senator from Vermont defended the `` 99.9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that `` are decent human beings , '' after moderators asked whether his supporters are `` making it harder for Democrats to unify in November . ''
`` And if there are a few people who make ugly remarks , who attack trade union leaders , I disown those people .
They are not part of our movement , '' he said .
Sanders later raised the possibility that foreign trolls could be responsible for some of the negativity among his supporters , alluding to the misinformation campaign launched by Russian actors in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` All of us remember 2016 , and what we remember is efforts by Russians and others to try to interfere in our election and divide us up .
I 'm not saying that 's happening , but it would not shock me , '' Sanders said .
Twitter said if it had evidence of such activity , it would be disclosed .
In a statement to CNBC , a spokesperson said , `` Using technology and human review in concert , we proactively monitor Twitter to identify attempts at platform manipulation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if we have reasonable evidence of state-backed information operations , we 'll disclose them following our thorough investigation to our public archive — the largest of its kind in the industry . ''
A Facebook spokesperson also told CNBC earlier this week that the company has no evidence that Russians are manipulating activity from Sanders ' supporters online .
A spokesperson for Sanders ' campaign was not immediately available to comment .
WATCH : Facebook and YouTube need to be more aggressive about false information , says former Twitter CEO

Democratic presidential hopeful Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders speaks during the ninth Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season co-hosted by NBC News, MSNBC, Noticias Telemundo and The Nevada Independent at the Paris Theater in Las Vegas, Nevada, on February 19, 2020.
Twitter did little to lend credence to Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders' suggestion at the Las Vegas Democratic debate that outside actors could be responsible for abrasive attacks by people claiming to be his supporters online.
At Wednesday's debate, the senator from Vermont defended the "99.9%" of his supporters on Twitter that "are decent human beings," after moderators asked whether his supporters are "making it harder for Democrats to unify in November."
"And if there are a few people who make ugly remarks, who attack trade union leaders, I disown those people. They are not part of our movement," he said.
Sanders later raised the possibility that foreign trolls could be responsible for some of the negativity among his supporters, alluding to the misinformation campaign launched by Russian actors in the lead-up to the 2016 election.
"All of us remember 2016, and what we remember is efforts by Russians and others to try to interfere in our election and divide us up. I'm not saying that's happening, but it would not shock me," Sanders said.
Twitter said if it had evidence of such activity, it would be disclosed.
In a statement to CNBC, a spokesperson said, "Using technology and human review in concert, we proactively monitor Twitter to identify attempts at platform manipulation and mitigate them. As is standard, if we have reasonable evidence of state-backed information operations, we'll disclose them following our thorough investigation to our public archive — the largest of its kind in the industry."
A Facebook spokesperson also told CNBC earlier this week that the company has no evidence that Russians are manipulating activity from Sanders' supporters online.
A spokesperson for Sanders' campaign was not immediately available to comment.
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WATCH: Facebook and YouTube need to be more aggressive about false information, says former Twitter CEO


cnbc--2020-02-20--US agency responsible for Trump's secure communication suffered data breach

The U.S. defense agency responsible for secure White House communications said Social Security numbers and other personal data in its network may have been compromised , according to a letter seen by Reuters on Thursday that was sent to individuals whose data may have been taken .
The letter , dated Feb. 11 , 2020 , says that between May and July 2019 , personal data may have been compromised `` in a data breach '' on a system hosted by the Defense Information Systems Agency .
The White House did not immediately answer a request for comment and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example , it did not indicate what specific part of DISA 's network had been breached or identify which other individuals may have had their data compromised .
The Defense Information Systems Agency , which calls itself a combat support agency of the Defense Department on its website , employs 8,000 military and civilian employees .
The agency says it `` provides direct telecommunications and IT support to the president , vice president , their staff , and the U.S. Secret Service . ''
The site also says the agency provides `` direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joint Chiefs of Staff and senior members of the U.S. armed forces .
Its field offices support U.S. military commanders abroad .
The agency 's letter said that it had no evidence any personal data possibly taken was misused but that it was required to notify individuals who may have had data taken .

The U.S. defense agency responsible for secure White House communications said Social Security numbers and other personal data in its network may have been compromised, according to a letter seen by Reuters on Thursday that was sent to individuals whose data may have been taken.
The letter, dated Feb. 11, 2020, says that between May and July 2019, personal data may have been compromised "in a data breach" on a system hosted by the Defense Information Systems Agency.
The White House did not immediately answer a request for comment and the letter provided few further details. For example, it did not indicate what specific part of DISA's network had been breached or identify which other individuals may have had their data compromised.
The Defense Information Systems Agency, which calls itself a combat support agency of the Defense Department on its website, employs 8,000 military and civilian employees.
The agency says it "provides direct telecommunications and IT support to the president, vice president, their staff, and the U.S. Secret Service."
The site also says the agency provides "direct support" to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and senior members of the U.S. armed forces. Its field offices support U.S. military commanders abroad.
The agency's letter said that it had no evidence any personal data possibly taken was misused but that it was required to notify individuals who may have had data taken.


cnbc--2020-02-21--Nevada Democrats are trying to avoid repeating the Iowa caucus debacle — here's how

LAS VEGAS — Democrats in Nevada seek to tamp down fears their Saturday caucus will repeat the botched contest in Iowa , which kicked off presidential primary season earlier in the month .
The state party said it will not use a mobile application that failed in Iowa , forcing a hand-count of votes and marring that state 's reporting process for results .
Instead of an app , Nevada 's Democrats will use a `` Caucus Calculator '' tool to add up votes and combine Election Day ballots with votes cast at early voting sites .
The Nevada caucuses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Feb. 15 and Feb. 18 at more than 80 sites across Nevada .
Regular voting begins at noon local time Saturday at more than 250 locations .
About 75,000 Nevadans have cast their ballots during early voting .
The majority of early vote participants were first-time caucus participants .
The party wrote in a memo distributed to the campaigns last week that the calculator will be user-friendly and only used on iPads purchased by the party and provided to trained precinct chairs .
Unlike the app used in Iowa , the calculator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything onto their personal devices .
Voting will be reported via a `` secure hotline '' and verified using either paper sheets hand-delivered in a secure envelope or the calculator tool .
A representative for Nevada Democrats told reporters Tuesday the Caucus Calculator is not new technology but is a tool they have used in the past that relies on a Google Sheets document tailored to the needs of the caucuses .
The party has also contracted with a call center with 200 trained employees to process results when they come in , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , calls were handled by volunteers , who were quickly overwhelmed .
The party said the situation was exacerbated by trolls who apparently supported President Donald Trump calling the hotline .
State and national Democrats say they are taking precautions to ensure that Nevada 's caucuses go smoothly .
`` Nevada Democrats have learned important lessons from Iowa , and we 're confident they 're implementing these best practices into their preparations , '' Democratic National Committee communications director Xochitl Hinojosa said in a statement .
`` We 've deployed staff to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistance to volunteer recruitment . ''
Campaign organizers and volunteers in Las Vegas have expressed optimism that Saturday will unfold at least better than Iowa 's caucuses did .
`` I am feeling comfortable , '' said Donna West , the chair of the Clark County Democratic Party who will serve as a site lead on Saturday .
She said she had been meeting with precinct chairs for a month and will be meeting with them again hours before the caucuses begin to walk through everything .
Election experts caution that even the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Nevada is in a particularly tough spot because the Iowa situation forced them to rethink their processes .
`` I will praise them if it 's not worse than Iowa .
I do n't think it will be worse than Iowa , '' said Rebecca Gill , a political science professor at the University of Nevada Las Vegas .
`` But I would be surprised if it 's seamless .
It 's a kind of complicated dance that they are just developing as they go . ''
Attention was particularly focused on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state had been expected to use the same malfunctioning app , manufactured by the progressive digital infrastructure agency Shadow , Inc .
The Nevada Democratic Party paid Shadow nearly $ 60,000 last year .
But the state party said a day after the caucuses in Iowa that it would not use the app , and the DNC vowed that the app would not be used `` anywhere else during the primary election process . ''
The state party has said that it consulted with Google , the Department of Homeland Security and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Though the party has said very little about its testing process , the spokesperson said that it was reviewed by third-party experts as well .
Allowing a review by DHS is another welcome change from the Iowa process .
DHS said earlier this month it had offered to vet the Iowa application , but Democratic officials in Iowa denied knowledge of DHS ' offer .
The Government Accountability Office slammed the Department of Homeland Security just three days after the Iowa caucuses for failing to release a formal plan for security during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in February .
However , CISA has not yet completed its strategic and operations plans to help state and local officials safeguard the 2020 elections or documented how it will address prior challenges , '' the GAO said .
CISA is the Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency , a division of DHS .
The reporting failures in Iowa ultimately prompted Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Troy Price to resign and have raised questions about the integrity of the final results .
Read more : Iowa caucus : Here 's a map of precincts where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBC News Decision Desk did not declare a winner of the race , and NBC News , CNBC and other outlets independently uncovered a number of apparent inconsistencies in the data .
The Iowa Democratic Party agreed to conduct a partial recanvass , or audit , of the results following requests from two of the candidates , former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont , who both appeared to be vying for the lead .
The recanvass narrowed the gap between Buttigieg and Sanders in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or the traditional method of declaring a winner .
Both candidates subsequently called for a partial recount involving 63 precincts .
A recount is a more thorough method of verifying accurate results .
— Tucker Higgins reported from Las Vegas , and Kate Fazzini reported from Englewood Cliffs , New Jersey .

People wait in line to vote on the final day of early voting for the upcoming Nevada Democratic presidential caucus on February 18, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mario Tama | Getty Images
LAS VEGAS — Democrats in Nevada seek to tamp down fears their Saturday caucus will repeat the botched contest in Iowa, which kicked off presidential primary season earlier in the month. The state party said it will not use a mobile application that failed in Iowa, forcing a hand-count of votes and marring that state's reporting process for results. Instead of an app, Nevada's Democrats will use a "Caucus Calculator" tool to add up votes and combine Election Day ballots with votes cast at early voting sites. The Nevada caucuses started with four days of early voting between Feb. 15 and Feb. 18 at more than 80 sites across Nevada. Regular voting begins at noon local time Saturday at more than 250 locations. About 75,000 Nevadans have cast their ballots during early voting. The majority of early vote participants were first-time caucus participants.
IPads and beefed-up call centers
The party wrote in a memo distributed to the campaigns last week that the calculator will be user-friendly and only used on iPads purchased by the party and provided to trained precinct chairs. Unlike the app used in Iowa, the calculator tool will not require volunteers to download anything onto their personal devices. Voting will be reported via a "secure hotline" and verified using either paper sheets hand-delivered in a secure envelope or the calculator tool. A representative for Nevada Democrats told reporters Tuesday the Caucus Calculator is not new technology but is a tool they have used in the past that relies on a Google Sheets document tailored to the needs of the caucuses. The party has also contracted with a call center with 200 trained employees to process results when they come in, according to NBC News. In Iowa, calls were handled by volunteers, who were quickly overwhelmed. The party said the situation was exacerbated by trolls who apparently supported President Donald Trump calling the hotline. State and national Democrats say they are taking precautions to ensure that Nevada's caucuses go smoothly. "Nevada Democrats have learned important lessons from Iowa, and we're confident they're implementing these best practices into their preparations," Democratic National Committee communications director Xochitl Hinojosa said in a statement. "We've deployed staff to help them across the board, from technical assistance to volunteer recruitment."
'Feeling comfortable' in Nevada
Campaign organizers and volunteers in Las Vegas have expressed optimism that Saturday will unfold at least better than Iowa's caucuses did. "I am feeling comfortable," said Donna West, the chair of the Clark County Democratic Party who will serve as a site lead on Saturday. She said she had been meeting with precinct chairs for a month and will be meeting with them again hours before the caucuses begin to walk through everything. Election experts caution that even the best-run caucuses sometimes run into trouble and that Nevada is in a particularly tough spot because the Iowa situation forced them to rethink their processes. "I will praise them if it's not worse than Iowa. I don't think it will be worse than Iowa," said Rebecca Gill, a political science professor at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. "But I would be surprised if it's seamless. It's a kind of complicated dance that they are just developing as they go." Attention was particularly focused on Nevada after the Iowa caucuses because the state had been expected to use the same malfunctioning app, manufactured by the progressive digital infrastructure agency Shadow, Inc. The Nevada Democratic Party paid Shadow nearly $60,000 last year. But the state party said a day after the caucuses in Iowa that it would not use the app, and the DNC vowed that the app would not be used "anywhere else during the primary election process."
More scrutiny by federal officials
The state party has said that it consulted with Google, the Department of Homeland Security and the Democratic National Committee on their process. Though the party has said very little about its testing process, the spokesperson said that it was reviewed by third-party experts as well. Allowing a review by DHS is another welcome change from the Iowa process. DHS said earlier this month it had offered to vet the Iowa application, but Democratic officials in Iowa denied knowledge of DHS' offer. The Government Accountability Office slammed the Department of Homeland Security just three days after the Iowa caucuses for failing to release a formal plan for security during the 2020 campaign. "Election primaries begin in February. However, CISA has not yet completed its strategic and operations plans to help state and local officials safeguard the 2020 elections or documented how it will address prior challenges," the GAO said. CISA is the Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency, a division of DHS. The reporting failures in Iowa ultimately prompted Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Troy Price to resign and have raised questions about the integrity of the final results. Read more: Iowa caucus: Here's a map of precincts where the data appear to be irregular The NBC News Decision Desk did not declare a winner of the race, and NBC News, CNBC and other outlets independently uncovered a number of apparent inconsistencies in the data. The Iowa Democratic Party agreed to conduct a partial recanvass, or audit, of the results following requests from two of the candidates, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who both appeared to be vying for the lead. The recanvass narrowed the gap between Buttigieg and Sanders in the count of State Delegate Equivalents, or the traditional method of declaring a winner. Both candidates subsequently called for a partial recount involving 63 precincts. A recount is a more thorough method of verifying accurate results. — Tucker Higgins reported from Las Vegas, and Kate Fazzini reported from Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.


cnbc--2020-02-21--Harvey Weinstein rape trial judge tells jurors to keep working after note suggests they are hung on

Harvey Weinstein rape trial judge tells jurors to keep working after note suggests they are hung on most serious charges

Harvey Weinstein walks to the courtroom in New York City criminal court on January 6 , 2020 in New York City .
The judge in the rape trial of fallen film mogul Harvey Weinstein told jurors Friday to continue their deliberations after they suggested they are hung on the most serious charges , of predatory sexual assault , in the case .
Jurors on Friday afternoon in the Manhattan courthouse said in a note to Judge James Burke , `` We the jury request to understand if we can be hung on 1 and or 3 but unanimous on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are charges of predatory sexual assault .
Count 2 is criminal sexual act in the first degree , count 4 is rape in the first degree , and count 5 is rape in the third degree .
If Weinstein is convicted of predatory sexual assault , he would face a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison with a maximum sentence of life behind bars .
The charges of first-degree criminal sexual act and first-degree rape each have a minimum sentence of five years in prison with a maximum of 25 years .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ faces a sentence ranging from probation to four years in prison .
Burke told jurors that any verdict that they returned must be unanimous and that if they can not be unanimous on a specific criminal count than they can not return a verdict for that count .
The judge asked the jurors to continue their deliberations , noting that it is not uncommon for a jury to have difficulty reaching a verdict .
Jurors then resumed their deliberations for less than a half hour .
Burke then dismissed the jurors for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to court to continue their discussions on Monday morning .
`` Do n't do anything that would put your health in jeopardy , because we need you , and thanks for everything you have done , '' Burke said .
So far jurors have spent 24½ hours deliberating in the case .
Weinstein , 67 , is charged with raping one woman , aspiring actress Jessica Mann , in a hotel room in Manhattan in 2013 .
He also is charged with forcibly performing oral sex on production assistant Mimi Haley in 2006 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trial that Weinstein raped her in her apartment in either late 1993 or early 1994 .
Weinstein was not charged in the case with raping Sciorra , but her testimony , along with that of five other women , was permitted by the judge in order to allow prosecutors to show a pattern of conduct by Weinstein .
Weinstein did not testify at the trial .
Weinstein for years was one of Hollywood 's powerful men , having backed a long string of financially successful and critically acclaimed movies such as `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of New York . ''

Harvey Weinstein walks to the courtroom in New York City criminal court on January 6, 2020 in New York City.
The judge in the rape trial of fallen film mogul Harvey Weinstein told jurors Friday to continue their deliberations after they suggested they are hung on the most serious charges, of predatory sexual assault, in the case.
Jurors on Friday afternoon in the Manhattan courthouse said in a note to Judge James Burke, "We the jury request to understand if we can be hung on 1 and or 3 but unanimous on the others."
Counts 1 and 3 are charges of predatory sexual assault.
Count 2 is criminal sexual act in the first degree, count 4 is rape in the first degree, and count 5 is rape in the third degree.
If Weinstein is convicted of predatory sexual assault, he would face a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison with a maximum sentence of life behind bars.
The charges of first-degree criminal sexual act and first-degree rape each have a minimum sentence of five years in prison with a maximum of 25 years. If convicted of third-degree rape, Weinstein faces a sentence ranging from probation to four years in prison.
Burke told jurors that any verdict that they returned must be unanimous and that if they cannot be unanimous on a specific criminal count than they cannot return a verdict for that count.
The judge asked the jurors to continue their deliberations, noting that it is not uncommon for a jury to have difficulty reaching a verdict. Jurors then resumed their deliberations for less than a half hour.
Burke then dismissed the jurors for the weekend and told them to come back to court to continue their discussions on Monday morning.
"Don't do anything that would put your health in jeopardy, because we need you, and thanks for everything you have done," Burke said.
So far jurors have spent 24½ hours deliberating in the case.
Weinstein, 67, is charged with raping one woman, aspiring actress Jessica Mann, in a hotel room in Manhattan in 2013. He also is charged with forcibly performing oral sex on production assistant Mimi Haley in 2006.
The actress Annabella Sciorra testified during the trial that Weinstein raped her in her apartment in either late 1993 or early 1994.
Weinstein was not charged in the case with raping Sciorra, but her testimony, along with that of five other women, was permitted by the judge in order to allow prosecutors to show a pattern of conduct by Weinstein.
Jury deliberations in the case began late Tuesday morning.
Weinstein did not testify at the trial.
Weinstein for years was one of Hollywood's powerful men, having backed a long string of financially successful and critically acclaimed movies such as "Shakespeare in Love" and "Gangs of New York."