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Trump's EU envoy Gordon Sondland accused of sexual misconduct – live Trump's EU envoy Gordon Sondland accused of sexual misconduct – live
(32 minutes later)
Sondland, a key figure in the impeachment inquiry, is alleged to have retaliated against three women after they rejected his advancesSondland, a key figure in the impeachment inquiry, is alleged to have retaliated against three women after they rejected his advances
Jana Solis claimed Gordon Sondland exposed himself to her and forcibly kissed her when she was inspecting some of his properties and possessions in 2008.
Sondland had asked Solis to evaluate his personal art collection, even though she didn’t have expertise in art valuations. At one point, Sondland asked her to meet him in the pool house.
“I get out to the pool house, and he is now naked from the waist down,” Solis told ProPublica. “He said something about, ‘I thought we could chat.’ And I said something, trying to keep his ego intact — not that he needed that, not that it wouldn’t have been anyway — I said something like, ‘I can’t have that conversation.’”
The situation did not escalate beyond that, but Solis encountered Sondland a few months later as she was inspecting some of his other properties and holding training sessions with hotel staff. On the last day of the trainings, Sondland invited her to the penthouse, which served as his private living quarters. Solis remembers Sondland asking her to have a drink on the couch with him, which she agreed to.
“The next thing I know, he’s all over me,” Solis said. “He’s on top of me. He’s kissing me, shoving his tongue down my throat. And I’m trying to wiggle out from under him, and the next thing you know, I’m sort of rising up to get away from him, and I fall over the back of the couch.”
Solis said Sondland later called her at work to yell about her job performance, which she blamed on her rejection of his advances. (Sondland denied the allegations detailed in the ProPublica report, inclduing Solis’.)
The three women accusing Gordon Sondland of sexual misconduct all shared their names and allegations on the record with ProPublica.
One of Sondland’s accusers is Nicole Vogel, the owner of Portland Monthly, which co-published the report about the allegations against the ambassador. (An editor’s note specifies that Vogel was not involved in editorial decisions about the piece.)
Vogel said Sondland tried to forcibly kiss her when she was raising money to start the magazine in 2003. Sondland, who owns five hotels in Portland with his company Provenance Hotel Group, had already said he would invest in the magazine when he invited Vogel to see one of the rooms at his nearby property.
Accordig to Vogel, she lavished praise on the rather mundane room and was turning to leave when Sondland asked for a hug. “And as I pulled back, he grabs my face and goes to kiss me,” Vogel said. “I said, ‘Ooh Gordon, you’re a married man, and you’d just break my heart.’”
Vogel then hurried to leave the hotel. A few weeks later, after another uncomfortable encounter in which Sondland put his hand on her thigh, he told Vogel he would not be investing in the magazine after all.
Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU who has become a key witness in the impeachment inquiry, has been accused of sexual misconduct by three women who say he retaliated against them after they rejected his advances.Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU who has become a key witness in the impeachment inquiry, has been accused of sexual misconduct by three women who say he retaliated against them after they rejected his advances.
ProPublica reports:ProPublica reports:
Sondland, who testified last week that he considered Rudy Giuliani’s efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden and the 2016 election as Trump held up the country’s military aid to be a definite case of quid pro quo, denied the allegations in a statement.Sondland, who testified last week that he considered Rudy Giuliani’s efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden and the 2016 election as Trump held up the country’s military aid to be a definite case of quid pro quo, denied the allegations in a statement.
“These untrue claims of unwanted touching and kissing are concocted and, I believe, coordinated for political purposes,” Sondland said. “They have no basis in fact, and I categorically deny them.”“These untrue claims of unwanted touching and kissing are concocted and, I believe, coordinated for political purposes,” Sondland said. “They have no basis in fact, and I categorically deny them.”
Sondland’s lawyer even suggested the women may be retaliating against the ambassador after failed business opportunties. “Notably, what each of these three women share in common is that they pursued Ambassador Sondland for financial and personal gain — an investment, a job, and insurance brokerage work — and he declined their proposals,” said lawyer Jim McDermott.Sondland’s lawyer even suggested the women may be retaliating against the ambassador after failed business opportunties. “Notably, what each of these three women share in common is that they pursued Ambassador Sondland for financial and personal gain — an investment, a job, and insurance brokerage work — and he declined their proposals,” said lawyer Jim McDermott.
McDermott added that the timing of the article’s publication could be viewed as “veiled witness tampering,” but the authors of the piece noted they began reporting on the story last month.McDermott added that the timing of the article’s publication could be viewed as “veiled witness tampering,” but the authors of the piece noted they began reporting on the story last month.
However, the report from justice department inspector general Michael Horowitz is not expected to completely let FBI leaders off the hook for their handling of the Russia investigation.However, the report from justice department inspector general Michael Horowitz is not expected to completely let FBI leaders off the hook for their handling of the Russia investigation.
The New York Times reports:The New York Times reports:
The highly anticipated report from the justice department’s inspector general on the origins of the Russia investigation is expected to debunk Trump’s repeated claim that the FBI attempted to spy on his 2016 campaign.The highly anticipated report from the justice department’s inspector general on the origins of the Russia investigation is expected to debunk Trump’s repeated claim that the FBI attempted to spy on his 2016 campaign.
The New York Times reports:The New York Times reports:
Previous reports have also indicated that Horowitz did not find any evidence of FBI senior leadership acting out of anti-Trump bias in their handling of the investigation, although the inspector general harshly criticized some decisions made early on by lower-level officials.Previous reports have also indicated that Horowitz did not find any evidence of FBI senior leadership acting out of anti-Trump bias in their handling of the investigation, although the inspector general harshly criticized some decisions made early on by lower-level officials.
Put all together, it’s looking like Horowitz’s report may not turn out to be the bombshell Trump was hoping for. However, if history is any indication, the president will likely cherry-pick the worst anecdotes from the report and simply repeat the claims debunked by Horowitz’s other findings.Put all together, it’s looking like Horowitz’s report may not turn out to be the bombshell Trump was hoping for. However, if history is any indication, the president will likely cherry-pick the worst anecdotes from the report and simply repeat the claims debunked by Horowitz’s other findings.
Charles Kupperman, who served as John Bolton’s deputy at the national security council, has filed a motion to add the House sergeant-at-arms to his lawsuit seeking a judge’s ruling on whether to comply with his congressional subpoena in the impeachment inquiry.Charles Kupperman, who served as John Bolton’s deputy at the national security council, has filed a motion to add the House sergeant-at-arms to his lawsuit seeking a judge’s ruling on whether to comply with his congressional subpoena in the impeachment inquiry.
Kupperman argues in his lawsuit that he is in “imminent and substantial risk” of being held in inherent contempt by the House and that, because the sergeant-at-arms would enforce such an order, he should be added to the lawsuit.Kupperman argues in his lawsuit that he is in “imminent and substantial risk” of being held in inherent contempt by the House and that, because the sergeant-at-arms would enforce such an order, he should be added to the lawsuit.
However, there have been no signs as of yet that House Democrats are preparing to hold anyone in contempt for defying congressional subpoenas in the impeachment inquiry.However, there have been no signs as of yet that House Democrats are preparing to hold anyone in contempt for defying congressional subpoenas in the impeachment inquiry.
Kupperman also noted in a separate brief that he did not believe the ruling in Don McGahn’s case applied to him because the former White House counsel had been suibpoenaed by the House, while Kupperman’s subpoena was withdrawn.Kupperman also noted in a separate brief that he did not believe the ruling in Don McGahn’s case applied to him because the former White House counsel had been suibpoenaed by the House, while Kupperman’s subpoena was withdrawn.
Rudy Giuliani called the president this week to reassure him that he had been joking when he told media outlets he had “insurance” if Donald Trump turned on him in the Ukraine impeachment scandal, Giuliani’s lawyer said today.Rudy Giuliani called the president this week to reassure him that he had been joking when he told media outlets he had “insurance” if Donald Trump turned on him in the Ukraine impeachment scandal, Giuliani’s lawyer said today.
The attorney, Robert Costello, said Giuliani “at my insistence” had called Trump “within the last day” to emphasize that he had not been serious when he said he had an “insurance policy, if thrown under the bus.”The attorney, Robert Costello, said Giuliani “at my insistence” had called Trump “within the last day” to emphasize that he had not been serious when he said he had an “insurance policy, if thrown under the bus.”
“He shouldn’t joke, he is not a funny guy. I told him, ‘Ten thousand comedians are out of work, and you make a joke. It doesn’t work that way,’” Costello told Reuters.“He shouldn’t joke, he is not a funny guy. I told him, ‘Ten thousand comedians are out of work, and you make a joke. It doesn’t work that way,’” Costello told Reuters.
Giuliani has already said that he was being sarcastic when he made the comments. Trump, too, has brushed them off, telling reporters in the Oval Office this week that “Rudy is a great guy.”Giuliani has already said that he was being sarcastic when he made the comments. Trump, too, has brushed them off, telling reporters in the Oval Office this week that “Rudy is a great guy.”
The White House declined to comment on Costello’s remarks, Reuters writes.The White House declined to comment on Costello’s remarks, Reuters writes.
As the Guardian reported earlier this month, Giuliani had said he was confident the president will remain loyal to him as the impeachment inquiry unfolded - in which the former New York mayor has become a central figure.As the Guardian reported earlier this month, Giuliani had said he was confident the president will remain loyal to him as the impeachment inquiry unfolded - in which the former New York mayor has become a central figure.
But he joked that he had good “insurance” in case Trump did turn on him, amid speculation Republicans will seek to frame Giuliani as a rogue actor.But he joked that he had good “insurance” in case Trump did turn on him, amid speculation Republicans will seek to frame Giuliani as a rogue actor.
In a telephone interview with the Guardian at the time, in response to a question about whether he was nervous that Trump might “throw him under a bus” in the impeachment crisis, Giuliani said, with a slight laugh: “I’m not, but I do have very, very good insurance, so if he does, all my hospital bills will be paid.”In a telephone interview with the Guardian at the time, in response to a question about whether he was nervous that Trump might “throw him under a bus” in the impeachment crisis, Giuliani said, with a slight laugh: “I’m not, but I do have very, very good insurance, so if he does, all my hospital bills will be paid.”
Giuliani’s lawyer, Robert Costello, who was also on the call, then interjected: “He’s joking.”Giuliani’s lawyer, Robert Costello, who was also on the call, then interjected: “He’s joking.”
US district judge Ketanji Brown Jackson has granted a seven-day stay in the case of former White House counsel Don McGahn as she considers whether to approve a similar stay requested by the justice department as it appeals her decision.US district judge Ketanji Brown Jackson has granted a seven-day stay in the case of former White House counsel Don McGahn as she considers whether to approve a similar stay requested by the justice department as it appeals her decision.
Jackson ruled Monday that McGahn must comply with a congressional subpoena to testify about his time as Trump’s White House counsel, despite the administration’s claims that the former senior adviser was “immune” from such requests. “Stated simply, the primary takeaway from the past 250 years of recorded American history is that Presidents are not kings,” Jackson said in her ruling.Jackson ruled Monday that McGahn must comply with a congressional subpoena to testify about his time as Trump’s White House counsel, despite the administration’s claims that the former senior adviser was “immune” from such requests. “Stated simply, the primary takeaway from the past 250 years of recorded American history is that Presidents are not kings,” Jackson said in her ruling.
The House did not oppose the temporary stay, but the chamber’s lawyers have filed a briefing opposing a longer stay in the case, arguing such a delay would prevent lawmakers from considering McGahn’s testimony before voting on articles of impeachment.The House did not oppose the temporary stay, but the chamber’s lawyers have filed a briefing opposing a longer stay in the case, arguing such a delay would prevent lawmakers from considering McGahn’s testimony before voting on articles of impeachment.
Georgia governor Brian Kemp pushed back against a Wall Street Journal report that he has clashed with Trump over who to appoint to the state’s open Senate seatGeorgia governor Brian Kemp pushed back against a Wall Street Journal report that he has clashed with Trump over who to appoint to the state’s open Senate seat
According to the Journal, Kemp intended to appoint Atlanta businesswoman Kelly Loeffler to the seat, which has been open since late August after Republican senator Johnny Isakson stepped down due to health issues.According to the Journal, Kemp intended to appoint Atlanta businesswoman Kelly Loeffler to the seat, which has been open since late August after Republican senator Johnny Isakson stepped down due to health issues.
But Trump has been pushing GOP reprentative Doug Collins for the seat becuase of the congressman’s aggressive efforts to push back against the impeachment inquiry. The president’s allies have assured him that Collins, currently the top Republican on the House judiciary committee, would be a guaranteed vote against removing Trump from office if the Senate was forced to hold a trial.But Trump has been pushing GOP reprentative Doug Collins for the seat becuase of the congressman’s aggressive efforts to push back against the impeachment inquiry. The president’s allies have assured him that Collins, currently the top Republican on the House judiciary committee, would be a guaranteed vote against removing Trump from office if the Senate was forced to hold a trial.
Loeffler, on the other hand, has been criticized by some Trump advisers for occasionally donating to Democratic candidates and spending more than $750,000 to support the 2012 presidential campaign of Mitt Romney, one of the president’s few Republican critics.Loeffler, on the other hand, has been criticized by some Trump advisers for occasionally donating to Democratic candidates and spending more than $750,000 to support the 2012 presidential campaign of Mitt Romney, one of the president’s few Republican critics.
The Trump administration initially estimated that 26,000 migrant children wold be separated from their families at the southern border if the president’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy were allowed to continue through 2018, according to a new report from the department of homeland security’s internal watchdog.The Trump administration initially estimated that 26,000 migrant children wold be separated from their families at the southern border if the president’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy were allowed to continue through 2018, according to a new report from the department of homeland security’s internal watchdog.
NBC News reports:NBC News reports:
The latest news about Rudy Giuliani raises the possibility that Trump’s personal lawyer was trying to advance the interests of both the president and Ukrainian officials as he pushed for the ouster of Maria Yovanovitch, the former US ambassador to Ukraine, which could run afoul of lobbying laws.The latest news about Rudy Giuliani raises the possibility that Trump’s personal lawyer was trying to advance the interests of both the president and Ukrainian officials as he pushed for the ouster of Maria Yovanovitch, the former US ambassador to Ukraine, which could run afoul of lobbying laws.
The New York Times reports:The New York Times reports:
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer, reportedly explored business opportunities with Ukrainian officials as he pressured the country to investigate Joe Biden and the 2016 election. (Trump appeared to distance himself from Giuliani in an interview that streamed yesterday, claiming he did not direct his lawyer to push for the probes.)Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer, reportedly explored business opportunities with Ukrainian officials as he pressured the country to investigate Joe Biden and the 2016 election. (Trump appeared to distance himself from Giuliani in an interview that streamed yesterday, claiming he did not direct his lawyer to push for the probes.)
Trump reportedly knew of the whistleblower complaint on his communications with Ukraine when he released the country’s military aid, casting serious doubt on one of congressional Republicans’ key criticisms of the impeachment inquiry.Trump reportedly knew of the whistleblower complaint on his communications with Ukraine when he released the country’s military aid, casting serious doubt on one of congressional Republicans’ key criticisms of the impeachment inquiry.
Another poll showed Joe Biden leading the 2020 Democratic field as his opponents struggle to challenge his frontrunner status.Another poll showed Joe Biden leading the 2020 Democratic field as his opponents struggle to challenge his frontrunner status.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
The New York Times also reports that Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer, explored a business deal with Yuriy Lutsenko, Ukraine’s top prosecutor who clashed with Maria Yovanovitch -- the former US ambassador to Ukraine who was removed from her post after being smeard by Giuliani and other Trump allies. Federal prosecutors are reportedly investigating Giuliani’s efforts to have Yovanovitch recalled.The New York Times also reports that Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer, explored a business deal with Yuriy Lutsenko, Ukraine’s top prosecutor who clashed with Maria Yovanovitch -- the former US ambassador to Ukraine who was removed from her post after being smeard by Giuliani and other Trump allies. Federal prosecutors are reportedly investigating Giuliani’s efforts to have Yovanovitch recalled.
The Times reports:The Times reports:
Reports have emerged that Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer, was pursuing business opportunities from Ukrainian officials as he pressured the country to investigate Joe Biden and the 2016 election.Reports have emerged that Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer, was pursuing business opportunities from Ukrainian officials as he pressured the country to investigate Joe Biden and the 2016 election.
The New York Times reports:The New York Times reports:
Federal prosecutors have reportedly launched a broad probe into Giuliani’s consulting business to determine whether his activities broke any lobbying laws. Some of the charges being considered include obstruction of justice, money laundering and conspiracy to defraud the US.Federal prosecutors have reportedly launched a broad probe into Giuliani’s consulting business to determine whether his activities broke any lobbying laws. Some of the charges being considered include obstruction of justice, money laundering and conspiracy to defraud the US.
The office of the US trade representative announced it is moving forward with its investigation of France’s digital tax, which previously prompted threats from Trump that he may impose tariffs on French wine.The office of the US trade representative announced it is moving forward with its investigation of France’s digital tax, which previously prompted threats from Trump that he may impose tariffs on French wine.
The US and France had declared a 90-day truce on the dispute, but that has now expired. The New York Times has more context on the feud:The US and France had declared a 90-day truce on the dispute, but that has now expired. The New York Times has more context on the feud:
Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the president’s most loyal defenders against the impeachment inquiry, has once again denounced the process of the investigation over Twitter. The South Carolina criticized Adam Schiff for not allowing Trump to participate in the House intelligence committee’s hearings and claimed, “Salem witches got a better deal than this!”Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the president’s most loyal defenders against the impeachment inquiry, has once again denounced the process of the investigation over Twitter. The South Carolina criticized Adam Schiff for not allowing Trump to participate in the House intelligence committee’s hearings and claimed, “Salem witches got a better deal than this!”
That dubious assertion prompted at least one White House reporter to remind Graham of the dozens of people who were executed during the Salem witch trials in 1692.That dubious assertion prompted at least one White House reporter to remind Graham of the dozens of people who were executed during the Salem witch trials in 1692.
Trump has been given the option to provide counsel for the House judiciary committee’s first impeachment hearing next week, but it’s unclear whether the president will choose to do so.Trump has been given the option to provide counsel for the House judiciary committee’s first impeachment hearing next week, but it’s unclear whether the president will choose to do so.
It’s also important to remember that the White House blocked some of Trump’s closest advisers, including acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and energy secretary Rick Perry, from testifying during the intelligence committee hearings, so it’s not as if the president has been deprived of opportunities to present additional evidence.It’s also important to remember that the White House blocked some of Trump’s closest advisers, including acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and energy secretary Rick Perry, from testifying during the intelligence committee hearings, so it’s not as if the president has been deprived of opportunities to present additional evidence.