Randall Eliason
@rdeliason.bsky.social
White collar crime prof, former federal prosecutor, columnist and blogger, a cappella singer, husband, dad and grandpa.
Pinned
Randall Eliason
@rdeliason.bsky.social
· Feb 16
The Great Courses
www.thegreatcourses.com
There's never been a better time to become better informed about white collar crime topics such as fraud, public corruption, and obstruction of justice.
You can purchase my course, "White Collar Criminal Law Explained," at the Great Courses website.
www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/whit...
You can purchase my course, "White Collar Criminal Law Explained," at the Great Courses website.
www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/whit...
They've already said that, actually.
Cue the Roberts Court saying that it’s not a bribe if Trump didn’t officially ask for a gold bar in return for dropping tariffs.
"It was tough to beat Apple, but the Swiss did it." said one administration official.
How the Swiss convinced Trump to drop tariffs with gifts of a Rolex desk clock and a 1 kg gold bar.
www.axios.com/2025/11/14/t...
How the Swiss convinced Trump to drop tariffs with gifts of a Rolex desk clock and a 1 kg gold bar.
www.axios.com/2025/11/14/t...
November 15, 2025 at 11:51 PM
They've already said that, actually.
Reposted by Randall Eliason
NEW: The Nevada Supreme Court has revived the criminal case against the Trump 2020 fake electors, ruling that AG Ford was correct to bring the case in Clark County. www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
November 14, 2025 at 2:38 AM
NEW: The Nevada Supreme Court has revived the criminal case against the Trump 2020 fake electors, ruling that AG Ford was correct to bring the case in Clark County. www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
I don't understand the claim the petition would be "dead on arrival" in the Senate even if it passes the House. Sounds like up to 100 House R's may support it. Are the Senate R's really going to be almost unanimous in blocking the release? Very dangerous for them.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
Trump Ramps Up Pressure on G.O.P. to Thwart Epstein Vote
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:32 PM
I don't understand the claim the petition would be "dead on arrival" in the Senate even if it passes the House. Sounds like up to 100 House R's may support it. Are the Senate R's really going to be almost unanimous in blocking the release? Very dangerous for them.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
Legislative experts, serious question: this assumes Johnson will abide by the House rules. What if he just refuses to bring it up? What would be the mechanism to enforce it?
BREAKING: Rep. Adelita Grijalva signs the Epstein discharge petition, serving as the 218th vote to force the bill to the floor for a full vote of the House.
November 12, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Legislative experts, serious question: this assumes Johnson will abide by the House rules. What if he just refuses to bring it up? What would be the mechanism to enforce it?
Good for the jury - it's gratifying that this case has mustard so much public support.
November 6, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Good for the jury - it's gratifying that this case has mustard so much public support.
Reposted by Randall Eliason
The arc of history is a foot-long, but it bends towards justice.
🚨🚨🚨 The jury has reached a verdict. Sean Dunn, aka the DC Sandwich Guy, has been found NOT GUILTY of assault.
November 6, 2025 at 8:25 PM
The arc of history is a foot-long, but it bends towards justice.
My latest on Sidebars: Trump continues to undermine the rule of law by prosecuting his enemies and rewarding his friends. But some guardrails and reasons for hope still remain.
www.sidebarsblog.com/p/trumps-ass...
www.sidebarsblog.com/p/trumps-ass...
Trump's Assault on the Justice System Continues
Punish your enemies, protect your friends - Part II
www.sidebarsblog.com
October 20, 2025 at 1:29 PM
My latest on Sidebars: Trump continues to undermine the rule of law by prosecuting his enemies and rewarding his friends. But some guardrails and reasons for hope still remain.
www.sidebarsblog.com/p/trumps-ass...
www.sidebarsblog.com/p/trumps-ass...
Called it, unfortunately - although he received "only" a commutation, not a pardon (yet).
My latest on Sidebars: a review of the George Santos case - the lies, criminal charges, guilty plea and sentencing.
Is the former Republican Congressman next in line for a Trump pardon?
www.sidebarsblog.com/p/george-san...
Is the former Republican Congressman next in line for a Trump pardon?
www.sidebarsblog.com/p/george-san...
George Santos Sentenced to 87 Months
Sharing some posts from the archives
www.sidebarsblog.com
October 18, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Called it, unfortunately - although he received "only" a commutation, not a pardon (yet).
Breaking: from prison, former NJ Senator Bob Menendez announces he has switched parties to become a Republican; praises Trump's genius and compassion.
#satire
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/u...
#satire
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/u...
Santos Is Released After Trump Commutes His Sentence
www.nytimes.com
October 18, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Breaking: from prison, former NJ Senator Bob Menendez announces he has switched parties to become a Republican; praises Trump's genius and compassion.
#satire
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/u...
#satire
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/u...
Reposted by Randall Eliason
Some people are honored to help children learn, or help the sick heal, or help the dispossessed fight for justice. Others are honored to have played a small role in giving lying criminals a chance to prey on society again, so long as they are Republicans.
October 18, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Some people are honored to help children learn, or help the sick heal, or help the dispossessed fight for justice. Others are honored to have played a small role in giving lying criminals a chance to prey on society again, so long as they are Republicans.
Santos is a Republican, a Trump supporter, and a white collar criminal. So by definition, according to Trump, he was treated unfairly and deserves clemency. Outrageous, and further erodes respect for the rule of law.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/u...
Trump Orders Santos to Be Freed From Prison ‘Immediately’
www.nytimes.com
October 18, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Santos is a Republican, a Trump supporter, and a white collar criminal. So by definition, according to Trump, he was treated unfairly and deserves clemency. Outrageous, and further erodes respect for the rule of law.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/u...
How long will it be until Trump has Lindsey Halligan indict the Nobel Peace Prize committee?
October 10, 2025 at 1:43 PM
How long will it be until Trump has Lindsey Halligan indict the Nobel Peace Prize committee?
The idea of Lindsey Halligan, and whatever out-of-state flunkies agree to help her, squaring off against Pat Fitzgerald is kind of amusing.
Imagine your local little league team playing the New York Yankees.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/u...
Imagine your local little league team playing the New York Yankees.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/u...
Comey Pleads Not Guilty and Will Seek to Dismiss Charges as Vindictive
www.nytimes.com
October 9, 2025 at 10:21 PM
The idea of Lindsey Halligan, and whatever out-of-state flunkies agree to help her, squaring off against Pat Fitzgerald is kind of amusing.
Imagine your local little league team playing the New York Yankees.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/u...
Imagine your local little league team playing the New York Yankees.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/u...
Reposted by Randall Eliason
Breaking MSNBC:
A top prosecutor in Virginia has informed colleagues she plans to decline to seek charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James — resisting intense pressure from Trump, according to two people familiar with her discussions. www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/t...
A top prosecutor in Virginia has informed colleagues she plans to decline to seek charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James — resisting intense pressure from Trump, according to two people familiar with her discussions. www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/t...
Top prosecutor is rejecting Trump pressure to charge New York AG
A key federal prosecutor in Virginia, where James Comey was indicted, is resisting bringing charges against Letitia James.
www.msnbc.com
October 6, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Breaking MSNBC:
A top prosecutor in Virginia has informed colleagues she plans to decline to seek charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James — resisting intense pressure from Trump, according to two people familiar with her discussions. www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/t...
A top prosecutor in Virginia has informed colleagues she plans to decline to seek charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James — resisting intense pressure from Trump, according to two people familiar with her discussions. www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/t...
Reposted by Randall Eliason
You can disagree with how Eric Adams ran the city, but you have to admit he did more to expose Emil Bove’s corruption than any other mayor.
You can disagree with how Eric Adams ran the City, but you have to admire his integrity and judgment
September 29, 2025 at 12:45 AM
You can disagree with how Eric Adams ran the city, but you have to admit he did more to expose Emil Bove’s corruption than any other mayor.
Reposted by Randall Eliason
Right now, I’m thinking of two career DOJ prosecutors I know who quit rather than participate in the Trump administration’s dirty deal with Adams.
NEW: Jeffries praises Eric Adams in a statement, saying he has "served courageously and authentically for decades" and that "meaningful progress has been made" during his mayoralty.
Says he will "publicly weigh in" on the mayoral race "well before the start of early voting.”
Says he will "publicly weigh in" on the mayoral race "well before the start of early voting.”
September 28, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Right now, I’m thinking of two career DOJ prosecutors I know who quit rather than participate in the Trump administration’s dirty deal with Adams.
The grand jury hears only the government's side. If prosecutors can't even convince all the grand jurors to find probable cause, there's almost no chance they can convince a unanimous jury at a contested trial of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
That's why career prosecutors said there is no case.
That's why career prosecutors said there is no case.
I reviewed the court transcript.
It’s true that only 14 grand jurors voted in favor of the Comey indictment, but the total number of grand jurors who voted is not specified.
The minimum number required for a quorum is 16; the maximum is 23.
It’s true that only 14 grand jurors voted in favor of the Comey indictment, but the total number of grand jurors who voted is not specified.
The minimum number required for a quorum is 16; the maximum is 23.
New on MSNBC: According to the court transcript, only 14 of the 23 grand jurors voted in favor of indicting James Comey on the two counts that went forward.
September 28, 2025 at 9:30 PM
The grand jury hears only the government's side. If prosecutors can't even convince all the grand jurors to find probable cause, there's almost no chance they can convince a unanimous jury at a contested trial of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
That's why career prosecutors said there is no case.
That's why career prosecutors said there is no case.
Authoritarian Trump may be able to order his lackey to get an indictment, but he can’t control the judge or the jury.
Zero chance Comey gets convicted.
Zero chance Comey gets convicted.
September 26, 2025 at 2:22 AM
Authoritarian Trump may be able to order his lackey to get an indictment, but he can’t control the judge or the jury.
Zero chance Comey gets convicted.
Zero chance Comey gets convicted.
Reposted by Randall Eliason
Start taking bets on how many Scaramucci’s until the Comey indictment is thrown out.
September 26, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Start taking bets on how many Scaramucci’s until the Comey indictment is thrown out.
Reposted by Randall Eliason
Attorneys who ignore their ethical duties to do Trump's bidding risk being sanctioned and even disbarred. Happened to Giuliani, Powell, Chesebro.
I'm confident the career AUSAs in the EDVA will follow their oaths - even if it means resigning rather than helping obtain an unjust indictment.
I'm confident the career AUSAs in the EDVA will follow their oaths - even if it means resigning rather than helping obtain an unjust indictment.
September 25, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Attorneys who ignore their ethical duties to do Trump's bidding risk being sanctioned and even disbarred. Happened to Giuliani, Powell, Chesebro.
I'm confident the career AUSAs in the EDVA will follow their oaths - even if it means resigning rather than helping obtain an unjust indictment.
I'm confident the career AUSAs in the EDVA will follow their oaths - even if it means resigning rather than helping obtain an unjust indictment.
If Halligan tries to get an indictment, watch for two things:
1) Another mass resignation event of prosecutors who refuse to violate their ethical obligations by helping her;
2) The grand jury refuses to indict.
There’s a decent chance we will see one or both.
1) Another mass resignation event of prosecutors who refuse to violate their ethical obligations by helping her;
2) The grand jury refuses to indict.
There’s a decent chance we will see one or both.
Tick, tock.
Lindsey Halligan, the newly-installed prosecutor in EDVA, has less than a week to secure an indictment against James Comey before a key statute of limitations runs out.
Ben Wittes and I examine her charging options.
Spoiler alert: they all suck.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...
Lindsey Halligan, the newly-installed prosecutor in EDVA, has less than a week to secure an indictment against James Comey before a key statute of limitations runs out.
Ben Wittes and I examine her charging options.
Spoiler alert: they all suck.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...
September 25, 2025 at 2:47 AM
If Halligan tries to get an indictment, watch for two things:
1) Another mass resignation event of prosecutors who refuse to violate their ethical obligations by helping her;
2) The grand jury refuses to indict.
There’s a decent chance we will see one or both.
1) Another mass resignation event of prosecutors who refuse to violate their ethical obligations by helping her;
2) The grand jury refuses to indict.
There’s a decent chance we will see one or both.
If this happens, the first defense motion is going to be to dismiss for malicious prosecution - and Trump’s social media post over the weekend will be defense exhibit one.
BREAKING on MSNBC:
Former FBI Director James Comey is expected to be indicted in the coming days in the Eastern District of Virginia, where a prosecutor who opposed bringing the case was recently fired, three sources familiar with the matter told MSNBC.
Former FBI Director James Comey is expected to be indicted in the coming days in the Eastern District of Virginia, where a prosecutor who opposed bringing the case was recently fired, three sources familiar with the matter told MSNBC.
September 25, 2025 at 2:27 AM
If this happens, the first defense motion is going to be to dismiss for malicious prosecution - and Trump’s social media post over the weekend will be defense exhibit one.
Why anyone would take any kind of medication or health advice from Trump or RFK Jr. -- instead of from, you know, actual doctors and health experts -- is beyond me.
The President says pregnant women should stay away from Tylenol due to possible autism link. World health authorities strongly disagree, say the drug is safe in pregnancy.
World health officials reject Trump's claims that Tylenol is linked to autism
The President says pregnant women should stay away from Tylenol due to possible autism link. World health authorities strongly disagree, say the drug is safe in pregnancy.
n.pr
September 24, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Why anyone would take any kind of medication or health advice from Trump or RFK Jr. -- instead of from, you know, actual doctors and health experts -- is beyond me.
With no prosecution experience, Trump's new US Atty in VA won't know where the grand jury room is, much less how to get an indictment. To indict Trump's targets she will need help - and if prosecutors follow their own ethical obligations, they should refuse.
www.sidebarsblog.com/p/trump-esca...
www.sidebarsblog.com/p/trump-esca...
Trump Escalates His Weaponization of the Justice Department
Punish your enemies, protect your friends
www.sidebarsblog.com
September 24, 2025 at 12:27 PM
With no prosecution experience, Trump's new US Atty in VA won't know where the grand jury room is, much less how to get an indictment. To indict Trump's targets she will need help - and if prosecutors follow their own ethical obligations, they should refuse.
www.sidebarsblog.com/p/trump-esca...
www.sidebarsblog.com/p/trump-esca...