Quote:Twelve Russian nationals were indicted for hacking into the Democratic National Committee and the Clinton presidential campaign in 2016, the Justice Department announced Friday.


The 12 defendants, all Russian intelligence officers, "engaged in a sustained effort to hack into the computer networks of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the DNC and the presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton," special counsel Robert Mueller alleged in his indictment.

Mueller charged that the purpose of the conspiracy was "to hack into the computers of U.S. persons and entities involved in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, steal documents from those computers, and stage the release of the stolen documents to interfere with the 2016 U.S. presidential election."

These are the first charges from Mueller's probe that directly accuse the Russian government of attempting to influence the Russian government. Still, the indictment contained no allegations that the actions altered the vote count or changed the outcome of the 2016 presidential elections.

"The Internet allows foreign adversaries to attack America in new and unexpected ways," Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said. 
The group also allegedly conspired to hack into computers of state election boards, secretaries of State and U.S. companies that supplied software and other technology related to election administrations.

Because the Russian officials remain in Russia, it is highly unlikely that they will ever be prosecuted in the United States. Nevertheless, the U.S. action follows a practice of so-called "naming and shaming" of foreign government operatives implicated in actions against the U.S.

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein holds at a news conference, Wednesday. (Photo: Jack Gruber, USA TODAY)

The 11-count indictment included charges of conspiracy, aggravated identity theft and money laundering. Federal prosecutors asserted that the Russian hackers corresponded with "several" Americans. Rosenstein said there was no evidence that the Americans were aware that they were corresponding with Russian intelligence officers.

Rosenstein said he briefed President Donald Trump on the case earlier this week, prior to Trump's scheduled meeting with Putin in Helsinki on Monday.

The deputy attorney general said the announcement of the charges were made with "no regard to politics," adding that the evidence was "sufficient" to bring the case.

The suspects, according to the indictment, were attached to two military divisions of Russia's Main Intelligence Directorate, known as the GRU — Unit 26165 and Unit 74455. In 2016, Unit 26165 operatives allegedly launched spearphishing campaigns — sending misleading emails to targets in attempts to steal usernames, passwords and other personal information — against the Clinton campaign.

(07-13-2018, 03:20 PM)jj22 Wrote: Trump supporters will turn a blind eye (deaf ear) to this as they run around claiming America first. Trump will probably offer to pardon them in his one on one no Americans allowed with Putin and his stooges.

(07-13-2018, 03:20 PM)jj22 Wrote: Trump supporters will turn a blind eye (deaf ear) to this as they run around claiming America first. Trump will probably offer to pardon them in his one on one no Americans allowed with Putin and his stooges.

(07-13-2018, 03:27 PM)Benton Wrote: I'm wondering how that's going to go over, as I'd expect him to do it after the next election (provided they're all through the courts, which I imagine they'll press to have it wrapped up). 

(07-13-2018, 03:33 PM)PhilHos Wrote: Ummmm: "Because the Russian officials remain in Russia, it is highly unlikely that they will ever be prosecuted in the United States.


I get it. 'Trump's bad.' But, can we at least be rational in our hate for the man?

(07-13-2018, 03:36 PM)jj22 Wrote: That doesn't mean he can't pardon them (which would allow them to return to the US freely for example). What exactly are you talking about PhilHos?

(07-13-2018, 03:44 PM)PhilHos Wrote: If they're unlikely to be charged, why would he pardon them?

(07-13-2018, 03:42 PM)Benton Wrote: Wait, I'm getting confused, I thought Trump was president of Russia?



Really, though, I'm referring to guys like Mannafort and Flynn. Who probably are still American.

(07-13-2018, 03:46 PM)GMDino Wrote: They'll be charged...they just will never been sent here for trial.

(07-13-2018, 03:44 PM)PhilHos Wrote: If they're unlikely to be charged, why would he pardon them?

(07-13-2018, 04:06 PM)Nately120 Wrote: Because it will make liberals mad?

(07-13-2018, 04:08 PM)PhilHos Wrote: Are you trying to convince me that it's a good idea? Because ... you are. 

(07-13-2018, 04:27 PM)Nately120 Wrote: If there were anything more important than making liberals mad we wouldn't have elected Trump.

(07-13-2018, 04:42 PM)bfine32 Wrote: WTS< I hope POTUS brings Putin to task over it.

(07-13-2018, 06:26 PM)bfine32 Wrote: DNC cheats for Hillary: It's OK the DNC is a private organization

DNC hacked by Russia: This is huge and tears at the very fabric of out electoral process.

(07-13-2018, 06:26 PM)bfine32 Wrote: DNC cheats for Hillary: It's OK the DNC is a private organization

DNC hacked by Russia: This is huge and tears at the very fabric of out electoral process.

(07-13-2018, 06:56 PM)NATI BENGALS Wrote: Quick question. Is an unfriendly foreign country infiltrating the campaign of our politicians a more pressing issue than than some personal messages shared between lovers? Asking for a friend