Russiagate Raid? FBI executes search warrant at Strategic Campaign Group
UPDATE: Raided firm has ties to Paul Manafort.
WBAL reports:
The FBI confirms agents are executing a search warrant at an office of a GOP fundraiser/consulting firm in Annapolis, the 11 News I-Team has learned.
The investigation is being run out of Washington, not locally, the I-Team has learned.
The FBI used trash bags to cover a window at the offices of Strategic Campaign Group.
The firm is touted for pioneering the use of technology in political campaigns, and it represents GOP candidates nationwide.
Capital Gazette ads:
Kelley Rogers, president of Strategic Campaign Group, said a half-dozen FBI agents arrived at the firm’s Main Street office about 8:30 a.m. with a warrant to search and seize records. The FBI confirmed it conducted a raid in Annapolis but would not say where. However, an individual carrying a backpack marked FBI was seen leaving the firm’s office.
Rogers, who said his firm represents the campaign committees for Maryland House and Senate candidates, told reporters that the FBI investigation concerns work the firm performed during the 2013 Virginia gubernatorial campaign of former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, a Republican.
According to Rogers, his firm settled a civil suit brought by the Cuccinelli campaign after he lost that race to Democrat Terry McAuliffe. Rogers said the investigation appears to have stemmed from allegations brought in that suit.
What’s going on?
BREAKING: Legal Shock & Awe. Source in legal community reports large number of Warrants from Eastern District of Virginia being executed (1
— Claude Taylor (@TrueFactsStated) May 11, 2017
By the FBI. Source reports frenzy of activity inside the EDVA, large number of agents, US Marshals. The battle has been joined. 2/2
— Claude Taylor (@TrueFactsStated) May 11, 2017
More BREAKING. The basement of the EDVA was described as resembling a "judicial Armada" with a dozen or more FBI and US Marshals vans.
— Claude Taylor (@TrueFactsStated) May 11, 2017
For the last week, several Twitter commentators with connections in the federal law enforcement and intelligence communities have been talking about forthcoming subpoenas and unsealing of sealed indictments. This could be the latest development in the rapidly expanding Russiagate scandal.