Post
by lpm » Sat Jan 16, 2021 1:44 pm
It's interesting that many of the leaders of fascist outfits and far right group have previous convictions - not for violence but for fraud.
They are conmen who know marks when they see them.
For example Randy Bishop, part of the "American Patriot Council" and a county GOP chairman, who has multiple convictions for fraud.
Or Ali Alexander - one of the key organisers of Stop the Steal - the guy who got an approving tweet from the Republican National Committee when he said he was willing to die for the cause. He's got convictions for theft and credit card fraud.
Or Kyle Chapman, the guy who set up the "Fraternal Order of the Alt-Knights" paramilitary wing of Proud Boys and who tried and failed to seize leadership of Proud Boys. He's got convictions for theft and robbery (although he his case he's also got assault convictions).
Loads of rioters were in it for social media respect, but quite a few of them were directly monetising their live broadcasts.
Then you've got Steve Bannon who's been charged with defrauding Trump supporters when they raised funds to build the wall. Paul Manafort was jailed for tax and banking fraud (pardoned by Trump). Michael Cohen was jailed for tax and banking fraud. The Georgia Senators with their insider dealing ("totally exonerated"). Congressman Chris Collins - first to endorse Trump in 2016, later jailed for securities fraud (pardoned by Trump). Congressman Duncan Hunter whose did a bit of campaign funds fraud (pardoned by Trump).
You can also look at who Trump likes to pardon. Manafort, Collins and Hunter as above, plus presumably Bannon will get his in the coming days. Other fraudsters: Dinesh D'Souza, Conrad Black, Pat Nolan, Michael Milken, Charles Kushner, Rod Blagojevich... If you want to guarantee yourself a Trump pardon, commit war crimes and do a bit of fraud.
Then there's the links to paedophilia. It's probably no coincidence that so many Trump devotees are paedophiles or obsessed with fighting paedophiles.
Awarded gold star 4 November 2021