According to portions of his opening statement obtained by the Associated Press, former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith informed lawmakers during a closed-door interview that his team found proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Donald Trump criminally conspired to overturn the 2020 election results. He also stated the team had amassed “powerful evidence” that Trump broke the law by retaining classified documents and obstructing government efforts to retrieve them. Smith emphasized that his decisions were made without regard to Trump’s political affiliations or candidacy, and that he would prosecute a former president based on the same facts regardless of their political party. The private deposition was part of a Republican investigation into Smith’s probes.
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After three weeks in prison, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was released and allowed to serve the remainder of his sentence at home. He had been convicted of criminal conspiracy regarding illegal campaign funding from Muammar Gaddafi’s regime. While he denies any wrongdoing and is appealing the verdict, the court has imposed strict conditions on his release, including prohibiting him from contacting any officials in the Justice Ministry and others involved in the case. Sarkozy, who served as France’s president between 2007 and 2012, has previously been convicted in separate cases, with retrials scheduled for next year.
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Abdoulaye N, a former motorbike acrobatics star known as “Doudou Cross Bitume,” is now facing charges in connection to the recent Louvre Museum heist. The 39-year-old is accused of “organized theft” and criminal conspiracy, potentially carrying a 15-year sentence. Prosecutors believe he was one of two individuals who stole jewels valued at €88 million from the Apollo gallery on October 19. Two accomplices were involved, and the group escaped on TMax motor scooters.
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The public’s perception of Donald Trump’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein suffered another blow following a report of a “bawdy” letter Trump wrote to Epstein. This news has led to increased voter suspicion and connects Trump to potential criminality. Commentators like Jonathan Lemire note that while Trump has overcome past scandals, this situation is different due to its association with a criminal conspiracy. The reported letter fuels ongoing questions about the nature of their relationship.
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John Q. Hosedrinker