A high-ranking Treasury Department adviser pleaded guilty to conspiracy on Monday. She purposely leaked confidential banking documents to a BuzzFeed reporter.

Deep state operative Natalie Edwards was a senior adviser in the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. Apparently, she thought her position would make it easy to help remove President Donald Trump from the White House.

As described by prosecutors, starting in October of 2017, Edwards downloaded and transmitted “suspicious activity reports” linked to Paul Manafort and his business associate Rick Gates, the Russian embassy, convicted spy Maria Butina, and others.

BuzzFeed used the leaked information in articles about Robert Mueller’s witch-hunt into non-existent collusion between President Trump and Russia. Mueller’s final report admitted defeat, stating, “he had not found evidence of such coordination.” Gates succumbed to the torture and pleaded guilty to tax fraud just to get it over with. Manafort was convicted of financial fraud.

SAR reports, prosecutors explain, are “filed confidentially by banks and other financial institutions to flag for law-enforcement entities what they believe are possibly illegal transactions.”

The key words there are confidentially, flag and possibly. The reason why they are confidential is just because a transaction may look suspicious to the computer, it isn’t always illegal.

The unit that Edwards worked in was the central clearinghouse for the data. That’s where the Treasury Department “maintains a centralized database of such reports, which can be accessed by law enforcement for investigations and other matters.” Edwards used it like Google.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Ravener gave the judge a preview of the evidence they would have presented if they did end up going to trial. For starters, they had “Treasury records that show Edwards saved SARs to a flash drive.” Then they would lay out all the “numerous” encrypted conversations between Edwards and the reporter.

She entered a guilty plea on a single conspiracy charge before U.S. District Judge Gregory Woods in Manhattan. “I transmitted a file containing or disclosing the existence of a SAR. I am sorry for what I have done and I apologize to you, your honor, and the court.”

She still doesn’t really believe that what she did was wrong. When the Judge asked if she understood that what she did was illegal, Edwards hesitated. Her lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, came to her rescue, asking the judge, “Are there circumstances where one can believe they are doing a greater good by doing it than by not doing it?”

After the hearing, he clarified for reporters, “I think she was of the view that certain critical facts weren’t being handled the right way by the government agencies whose responsibility it is to handle these things. And so I think she did something that will be near and dear to all of your hearts, which is that she went to the media.”

Her sentencing hearing has been set for June 9. Her plea deal notes that if she gets a slap on the wrist sentence of six months or less, she waived the right to appeal. The maximum for the charge she faces is five years in federal prison.

43 Responses

  1. Redbonejohn

    Why work on convicting a nobody while HRC is still roaming around freely? WHEN is the trials of those top dogs in the AG’s office and the FBI going to get theirs? I guess that is to much to hope for

    Reply
  2. Geneww38

    Some people act out with Satan’s hatred, you can expect Satan’s rewards.
    Be careful where your ladder is on a tree branch when you cut the tree branch from the trunk.
    Making a barn fire may keep you smiling and warm until you discover it is in your own home.
    When you bath in septic tanks, guess what you’ll smell like.
    Some people refuse to learn.

    Reply
  3. mike taylor

    I think what she did was deplorable and should receive the five years in prison to show others this will not be tolerated.

    Reply
  4. Marinevet

    It is time for some of these liberals/democrats start being punished for their crimes. Not just get a slap on the hand. I am sick of it.

    Reply
  5. John

    Apparently she and her lawyer feel that vigilantism is an acceptable defense. So, if she thinks somebody is bad she’s entitled to go murder them? Disappointing the judge didn’t rebuke the lawyer – and her. She knew better, folks at these agencies get annual training about security, abuse of materials, PII/PHI mishandling, etc etc. Throw the book at her. That’s what would happen to the average person.

    Reply
  6. Tim.

    This is typical of the ‘deep-state’ mentality. They never accept responsibility for their actions. I truly wish she’d get life behind bars…maybe it would be the precedent needed to stop future criminals like her.

    Reply
  7. Jon P Kahler

    If she was sentenced as your headline states, what was her sentence. Have you studied journalism at all?

    Reply
  8. Rgr

    You know something??? I had freedom of speech at home. But They were within the rules and morals of Our Home. If I felt something was not right, I had Better not just blurt it out with disrespect and by the heavens above, I had Better Not Bring it up in Public for the first time!!! Maybe that should be applied in our country. We called it Respect AND courtesy for Authority. I bet these are the Same people who go through your, fridge, closets, and medicine cabinet If the come to your home!!! If this country and what it believes is soooo disturbing to you, go to another of your choice and get and education on other crappy cultures and struggling by their means of poor choices. People have No Clue was made this place superior after only 50 yrs from the Declaration of Independence from tyranny. It was the Unified, Moral, and Ethical commitment by 99.99% of the people. Check it out if you doubt it. Even a few of the Philosophers from Europe wrote about it. They were amAZed!! Ahhh, but few are interested in History and learning from it as well. Accepting B.S. as a mushroom is more comforting to the non-evaluating and non-analytical minds.!

    Reply
  9. Rgr

    How about charging her with Treason and applying the Correct Sentence. These whack jobs are ready to do it to Legal, LOYal Citizens!! We have jeopardized and lost Good people, and Heroes, because of this kind of action.

    Reply
  10. Doug Bordas

    Natalie Edwards should get 5 years no slap on the hands. She violated others private information and needs to be sent to jail.

    Reply
  11. Vladilyich

    Deep mState my ass! She’s a standard simple service government employee. OIbviously a registered Republican or you would have emphasized inn BOLD lettering that she was a Democrat. Can’t you hide your propaganda any better than by implication? You’re not just Fake NEWS, YOU’RE no NEWS but just propaganda for the psuedo-conservative evangelical nut cases.

    Reply
  12. Gizzy

    That’s number one! NOW, let’s get on with the indictments of the members of the “coup”!

    Reply
  13. Ron Hopkins

    The damage these people do is considerable. They should do the max for they knew what they did was against the law and the law was there to protect people’s privacy.

    Reply
  14. Mary McKenzie

    I hope the DOJ/Barr are taking all this in.Since 2012 the Feds have been put in place by Obama et al. I pray that SOMEONE in the gov’t. is listening to the people. We are tired of being screwed over! Ms.Edwards should have gone to the DOJ/afterall they WERE under the previous administration. Between the Obams WH & cabinet screwing,lying,manipolating facts, & giving it to theMSM & idiot like Schiff. She deserved more time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

    Reply
  15. Earnest Leon Little

    ………”and joining a long list of those who are so arrogant and egotistical, they feel as if they should control the U.S. This list includes, but not limited to, public servants who are appointed by the person you vote for, Comey, Stzrok, Page, McCabe, Clapper, Clinton, Brennan, Kerry, Rice, Lynch, Holder, Obama, Biden, Newsom, Sanders, Warren, O’Roark, Castro, Jones, Mueller et al.

    Reply
  16. krdave

    I am tired of all these politicians who have worked against the country by their illegal actions getting off with practically no penalty. Give them enough of a sentence to show others that crime doesn’t pay.

    Reply
  17. ABU TOM

    PRESIDENT TRUMP’S OFFICE IS THE .RESULT OF 63 MILLION INDIVIDUAL VOTES. IT IS NOT PRESIDENT TRUMP BEING IMPEACHED. IT IS YOU AND ME. THE REAL MESSAGE GIVEN BY THE DEMOCRAT COMMUNIST PARTY IS WE CONTROL EVERYTHING AND YOUR VOTE WILL NEVER COUNT. IF YOU ARE AMERICAN YOU HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY TO DRIVE THESE MONEY CHANGERS OUT OF THE TEMPLE OF FREEDOM. ANY PARTY THAT KILLS KIDS WE MUST BE RID OF. ANY PARTY SELLING DOPE WE MUST BE RID OF AND THAT INCLUDES ROMNEY RINOS. ANY PARTY THAT GIVES 157 BILLION DOLLARS TO IRAN TO WIPE ISRAEL OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH MUST NEVER BE ALLOWED TO HOLD OFFICE AGAIN. AN INNOCENT CITIZEN HAS BEEN DENIED HIS RIGHTS TO CONFRONT HIS ACCUSERS AND BE DECLARED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY. THIS IS A SOVIET SHOW TRIAL. IN THE COMMUNIST CONTROLLED MEDIA. THAT INNOCENT VICTIM IS NOT DONALD TRUMP. IT IS YOU AND I THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. THAT IS WHO IS BEING IMPEACHED IN THIS COMMUNIST COUP.. WORDS LIKE LEFT WINGER, PROGRESSIVE, LIBERAL, HAVE NO MEANING. THE REAL WORD IS COMMUNIST. THE TACTICS ARE COMMUNIST. CHARLOTTESVILLE VA. WAS A COMMUNIST STUNT CREATED BY A GOVERNOR AND A MAYOR. ON GUARD VIRGINIA YOU MAY BE THE FIRST COMMUNIST SLAVE STATE. THOSE WHO TAKE YOUR GUNS AWAY INTEND TO KILL YOU.IF THEY CAN KILL YOUR KIDS LEGALLY THEY CAN KILL YOU. STAND WITH A REAL PRESIDENT WHO FIGHTS FOR ALL THE PEOPLE.

    VOTE AS IF YOU LIFE DEPENDED ON IT. SPIRIT OF AMERICA PARTY RADIO SHOW.ON YOU TUBE ABUTOM

    Reply
  18. Michael Morgan

    Put her in jail for 15 years for violating the public trust and ignoring her oath of defending the Constitution and obeying oooour laws.

    Reply
  19. Jon

    Why does the headline say she has been sentenced, but the article says her sentencing hearing isn’t until June 9th?

    Reply
  20. Bird

    People need to start paying for the crimes they have done against, not only this president, but the damage done to this country! Please, no slap on the wrist…. 5 years is a great place to start, then move on to Comey, McCabe, Clinton, Obama, Lisa Page and Peter Strzok…. empty that swamp!

    Reply
  21. max

    she needs to be fitted for a new jump suit soon….she may get out of prison and go back to her old job if everything happens like it usually does!!

    Reply
  22. Dennis B Anderson

    The only reason why Washington D.C. isn`t asking for the death penalty? They are all scared they might have crossed the line. If that is it you sniveling Republicans won`t get another chance at a public job again. It is my opinion you all have let things get out of hand for a few extra bucks. In the 18th-20th century, there was a reason why people were tar & feathered. One might ask how we got Muslims within our government framework. It has gone as far as these people demanding that the Koran distribute justice.

    Reply
  23. rangerrebew

    She will draw nothing more severe than probation. Democrat criminals rarely get more than that.

    Reply
  24. marc

    Natalie Edwards, come on down, I do believe you’ve earned a Hangin. The beginning of the REAL end for the Demonrats and RINOs, it”s about time, watch them crumble, a**hole to ashes, dust to dust…

    Reply
  25. Sharon

    Give her the MAX! 5 yrs. isn’t much for what she did and an appeal can take longer than that to come to trial! She isn’t sorry for what she did, just that she got caught. She doesn’t believe what she did was wrong, therefore she needs the maximum sentence so she has time to understand that she needs to follow the Law just like every other citizen.

    Reply
  26. ox

    Edwards deserves the 5 years with no early out, and the Buzz feed reporter also deserves to due time, for knowingly receiving confidential information, he shouldn’t have received in the first place, just because he is a reporter, doesn’t make it right, and it has nothing to due as her lawyer would say for the greater good. A free pass on crime for breaking the law for the greater good is not acceptable.

    Reply
  27. Diana7000

    She needs to get sentenced to years not months or people will just do it again for Soros money!

    Reply
  28. Tim Thompson

    she’s a Democrat so she thought obviously wrongly that she would get away with it and she would be found to be a hero in the anti-Trump movement. She needs five years behind bars, not because of her illegal insider crime but to set an example to the deep swamp that these criminal acts of thinking they can do and get away with anything they do to President Trump.

    Reply

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