The phrase “dime store hoodlum” comes to mind when taking a look at some of the characters/co-conspirators surrounding Trump.
It seems that in draining the swamp, Trump has managed to unearth characters right out of a Hollywood B-Movie version of “The Sopranos.”
Anthony Scaramucci, knighted “The Mooch” by the media, was an all-time favorite. He rose to glory out of nowhere only to be quickly dispatched to some other swamp never to be heard from again (or so we all wish).
Turning the clock back to the time of Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather” movie franchise, there are several contenders to play the part of Fredo Corleone – you know, from that memorable scene from The Godfather, Part II:
- Fredo Corleone: I’m your older brother, Mike, and I was stepped over!
- Michael Corleone: That’s the way Pop wanted it.
- Fredo Corleone: It ain’t the way I wanted it! I can handle things! I’m smart! Not like everybody says… like dumb… I’m smart and I want respect!
Sean Spicer was the original White House Fredo – but alas, he only lasted 182 days. Sarah Huckabee Sanders stepped in, lasting 300 days and counting as of Tuesday night [May 22, 2018].
A new favorite is Michael Cohen’s close business partner, who is reported tonight to have flipped and joined the ever-growing list of songbirds cooperating with the feds. This one even comes with his very own gangster name already – “The Taxi King,” as reported by NBC News.
A business partner of Trump lawyer Michael Cohen known as the Taxi King has agreed to cooperate with the government as part of a plea deal, according to a person with direct knowledge of the proceedings.
Evgeny Freidman, 47, pleaded guilty Tuesday to a low level felony in New York state court for stealing nearly $5 million in state taxes and has agreed to cooperate in state or federal investigations. The deal, in which he will pay the state $5 million but avoid jail time, was originally reported by the New York Times.
Noting his nickname, The New York Times first broke the story, reporting that:
A significant business partner of Michael D. Cohen, President Trump’s personal lawyer, has agreed to cooperate with the government as a potential witness, a development that could be used as leverage to pressure Mr. Cohen to work with the special counsel examining Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
Under the deal reached with the New York attorney general’s office, the partner, Evgeny A. Freidman, a Russian immigrant who is known as the Taxi King, specifically agreed to assist government prosecutors in state or federal investigations, according to a person briefed on the matter.
The broadened scope of Mr. Freidman’s cooperation may prove worrisome not only to Mr. Cohen, who is the target of a continuing federal investigation, but also Mr. Trump.
The president’s lawyers are already resigned to the strong possibility that the inquiry into Mr. Cohen’s businesses could lead him to cooperate with federal prosecutors. That likelihood may now be greater, with Mr. Freidman potentially sharing what he knows with federal prosecutors in New York and the special counsel.
And for those of you who have not seen a photo of Friedman yet, take a look and see for yourself if you think he looks a fitting addition to “the family.”
- Source Links – August 29, 2020
- About Pat Warde: Eulogy Tribute by Eleanor Hughes – April 1, 2019
- Editorial Note – January 15, 2019
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