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* You may have already heard about today’s federal indictments, but there’s at least one and maybe more Illinois angle, including the Russian hacking of the State Board of Elections. From Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein’s statement today…
Today, a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia returned an indictment presented by the Special Counsel’s Office. The indictment charges twelve Russian military officers for conspiring to interfere with the 2016 presidential election.
Eleven of the defendants are charged with conspiring to hack into computers, steal documents, and release documents in an effort to interfere with the election.
One of those defendants, and a twelfth Russian officer, are charged with conspiring to infiltrate computers of organizations responsible for administering elections, including state boards of election, secretaries of state, and companies that supply software and other technology used to administer elections.
According to the allegations in the indictment, the defendants worked for two units of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Russian General Staff, known as the GRU. The units engaged in active cyber operations to interfere in the 2016 presidential election. One GRU unit worked to steal information, while another unit worked to disseminate stolen information. […]
In a second, related conspiracy, Russian GRU officers hacked the website of a state election board and stole information about 500,000 voters. They also hacked into computers of a company that supplied software used to verify voter registration information; targeted state and local offices responsible for administering the elections; and sent spearphishing emails to people involved in administering elections, with malware attached.
* From the indictment…
The object of the conspiracy was to hack into protected computers of persons and entities charged with the administration of the 2016 U.S. elections in order to access those computers and steal voter data and other information stored on those computers. Manner and Means of the Conspiracy
In or around June 2016, KOVALEV and his co-conspirators researched domains used by US. state boards of elections, secretaries of state, and other election-related entities for website vulnerabilities. KOVALEV and his co-conspirators also searched for state political party email addresses, including filtered queries for email addresses listed on state Republican Party websites.
* And…
a. For example, on or about April 22, 2016, the Conspirators compressed gigabytes of data from DNC computers, including opposition research. The Conspirators later moved the compressed DNC data using X-Tunnel to a GRU-leased computer located in Illinois.
b. On or about April 28, 2016, the Conspirators connected to and tested the same computer located in Illinois. Later that day, the Conspirators used X-Tunnel to connect to that computer to steal additional documents from the network.
…Adding… From Matt Dietrich at the Illinois State Board of Elections…
I’m going through the indictment now. We have had no contact with the DOJ on this and did not know it was coming.
*** UPDATE 1 *** We’re about to find out if the ISBE knows any details…
llinois State Board of Elections Press Conference (U.S. Dept. of Justice Indictment In 2016 Elections Hacking) Blueroom Springfield 3 PM CST @BlueRoomStream. pic.twitter.com/aYY3zlG0jK
— BlueRoomStream (@BlueRoomStream) July 13, 2018
*** UPDATE 2 *** “We think it’s very likely,” Matt Dietrich just told reporters, that the Illinois State Board of Election is the “SBOE 1″ described in the federal indictment. From the indictment…
In or around July 2016, KOVALEV and his co-conspirators hacked the website of a state board of elections and stole information related to approximately 500,000 voters, including names, addresses, partial social security numbers, dates of birth, and driver’s license numbers.
In or around August 2016, KOVALEV and his co-conspirators hacked into the computers of a U.S. vendor that supplied software used to verify voter registration information for the 2016 U.S. elections. KOVALEV and his co-conspirators used some of the same infrastructure to hack into Vendor 1 that they had used to hack into SBOE 1.
In or around August 2016, the Federal Bureau of Investigation issued an alert about the hacking of SBOE 1 and identified some of the infrastructure that was used to conduct the hacking. In response, KOVALEV deleted his search history. KOVALEV and his co-conspirators also deleted records from accounts used in their operations targeting state boards of elections and similar election-related entities.
*** UPDATE 3 *** The Board of Elections press release is here.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 11:36 am
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Witchhunt. Fake News. Nothing to see here.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 11:44 am
Now Trump and Vlad have something to discuss today. Nice timing Rod.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 11:49 am
The Guccifer 2.0/Roger Stone connection is going to blaze pretty hot now.
Talk about a rabbit hole.
Comment by Macbeth Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 11:54 am
the most important timing is that the very day Trump told the Russians to find the emails, they started hacking. Collusion is not a crime, but there are other crimes to be charged. and the collusion is right out in the open. there are thousands of victims of the Russians with the hacking, so more digging and lawsuits to come.
Comment by Amalia Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 11:57 am
This is why we should be outraged about all of the blatant attempts to derail and discredit this investigation. The “witch hunt” just produced more witches.
Comment by Pundent Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 12:01 pm
Maybe Rauner and Pence can discuss this today.
Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 12:03 pm
the most important timing is that the very day Trump told the Russians to find the emails, they started hacking.
Are you Russian? How do you know when this started? Trump made the statement on July 26th 2016?
Do you rally think that has anything to do with this? The report says there was activity in April and June of 2016 (that is before Trump’s statement).
Why don’t you just wait for the facts to come out instead of prejudging a preferred outcome like a lot of the media has been doing for the past year and half.
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/28/us/politics/donald-trump-russia-clinton-emails.html
Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 12:13 pm
I expect claims of “NBD” shortly. The extreme right in America is willing to brush off the alienation of our country’s closest allies, risk the livelihoods of our farmers in a trade war, and stand behind the guy who believes that there are good people on both sides of the white supremacy debate. Why wouldn’t they also be willing to downplay a foreign governments attempts to cause damage to our democracy as well?
After all, the most important thing is that they get judicial appointments - just ask “Sue”.
Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 12:22 pm
It is important to find out what happened and how, but it seems like spending the time and resources to produce an indictment of foreign military personnel in a foreign country is a waste. Am I wrong? why
Comment by NoGifts Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 12:24 pm
LP- like facts have ever been important to you before.
Comment by Ike Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 12:25 pm
=== Am I wrong?===
Yes. Foreign generals allegedly conspire to interfere with our elections and you want to give them a pass. That’s insane.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 12:26 pm
Rich - what are the chances of having an actual trial and passing a sentence on these officers? And aren’t we opening the doors for other countries to do the same to our military personnel?
Comment by NoGifts Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 12:28 pm
Those 11 guys are already going to get a pass, because they’re not going to be punished by the United States Government. This isn’t about 11 guys working from the Kremlin, it’s about Russian Government activities.
Comment by NoGifts Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 12:38 pm
===what are the chances of having an actual trial===
Don’t care. Sanctions can be imposed as well. You mess with our elections and there should be consequences. Period. To just let it slide is the most ridic idea I’ve ever heard.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 12:40 pm
who is the Congressional candidate who asked for help from the Russians? also, the circumstantial evidence is starting to boil for Trump’s campaign working with the Russians. Roger Stone, you in danger boy!
Comment by Amalia Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 12:44 pm
WE already know the Russian government interfered and can apply sanctions. We don’t need a trial.
Comment by NoGifts Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 12:45 pm
“Lucky Pierre”
Russia meddled.
Waiting on what? It’s odd this Administration just can’t see that reality… like you?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 12:47 pm
Rich must be feeling extra good today to allow for commentary on the Russian indictments. Might have to get some popcorn while reading the rest of these comments today.
Comment by Boone's is Back Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 12:56 pm
It’s my understanding that these folks will have Interpol warrants which will subject them to arrest if they leave Russia.
Comment by Norseman Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 12:59 pm
Waiting for response from orange blimp and Rauner administration. Orange blimp’s lawyer says shows the blimp is innocent and investigation should be closed. Nothing about Russians. Orange blimp show no concern about national security or soverignty on this issue.
Comment by lost in the weeds Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 1:01 pm
Per the Washington Post: “Mueller has now brought indictments against 32 people and 3 companies. He’s obtained 5 guilty pleas so far, including from Trump’s national security adviser and deputy campaign manager. Trump’s former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, is in prison awaiting trial.”
That is exactly how I would define a “witch-hunt.” LOL. Your move, Mr. President.
Comment by MakePoliticsCoolAgain Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 1:01 pm
To bring it back around to Illinois, how much money have we spent on securing voter roll databases and voting hardware and software? Are we secure now? How do we know?
Comment by NoGifts Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 1:09 pm
=Are we secure now?=
No one’s secure now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX06s49xbHQ
Capiche?
Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 1:17 pm
–Are you Russian?–
Are you?
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 1:29 pm
I keep reminding myself what politics was like in 2015…that was three years ago, but it seems like a lifetime ago…
Comment by Loop Lady Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 1:32 pm
===Are you Russian?===
Mandrake, have you ever seen a Commie drink a glass of water?
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 1:41 pm
Putin’s goal has always been disruption. Russia cannot compete with us economically or militarily, but sowing seeds of chaos and disruption would slow or cause to reduce the US role and influence world wide.
There was a great article in politico last year in this topic.
That has happened to some extent. We have a president who was elected even though he embraced one of our chief rivals (not enemies) and elevated them over our allies (and economic rivals). What is more insane is that the right has embraced that after eons of Russia hating.
We live in confusing times.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 1:44 pm
Wait a minute. The federal Department of Justice did not give any state boards of election any indication that this was coming down? Hmm…
Comment by Exclamation Point Deleted Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 1:58 pm
Or, more pointedly, they did not tell our state board of election about this? Did they tell any other state election entities in other states about this?
Comment by Exclamation Point Deleted Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 2:00 pm
–It is important to find out what happened and how, but it seems like spending the time and resources to produce an indictment of foreign military personnel in a foreign country is a waste. Am I wrong?–
You want to give drug cartels a pass, too? Or just Russians who helped Trump and other Republicans?
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 2:01 pm
Drug cartels can be subject to extradition and are criminals in their own lands too (usually). They are not government personnel working on assigned tasks.
Comment by NoGifts Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 2:09 pm
It is amusing to read some of the comments suggesting all of the world’s problems came to pass since our most recent presidential election. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if it is proved that Russia attempted to interfere in US elections. And I don’t have to wonder if the US has been guilty of the same type of activity, because it has.
Investigate, determine what happened, take appropriate action, but stop pretending like this is all a new development.
I’m not a Trump fan, but I can’t ignore the health of the economy. And the fact that he has chastised other countries for not contributing to NATO is okay with me as well. I wish just once, we could get an occupant in the Oval office that would work across the aisle instead of demonizing the other side. We are more alike than we are different.
Comment by SSL Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 2:19 pm
=They are not government personnel working on assigned tasks.=
And countries can be sanctioned for their bad behavior. Although I do realize the reluctance of this President to do so with Russia. I’m sure there’ nothing sinister behind that.
So what exactly is your point? Do you think that we shouldn’t take action against these Russian Generals? Or have you somehow concluded that this is all that Mueller and his team have come up with and they should close things up and go home?
We have 32 indictments and counting. Sorry if you’ve lost interest but I think we’ve got a ways to go.
Comment by Pundent Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 2:23 pm
Russian government (Putin) has declared European Union and USA as enemy of Russia.
https://www.statista.com/chart/12492/who-russians-consider-their-greatest-enemies/
A long article. Certainly seeking action by US. However states that multiple statements cite USA as the main enemy of Russia.
https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/01/putins-real-long-game-214589
Comment by lost in the weeds Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 2:45 pm
Pundent You far overstepped what I said. Espionage by foreign governments is not a crime like any other that gets an investigation and court date. It just doesn’t lend itself to that treatment. However if Americans were involved, they should be ferreted out, tried and convicted. I have not at all lost interest in where this is leading but we already knew the Russian government was doing this.
Comment by NoGifts Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 2:49 pm
=It is amusing to read some of the comments suggesting all of the world’s problems came to pass since our most recent presidential election.=
I’m not sure which comments you’re referring to but I don’t see them in this thread. As far as Russian interference in prior elections, I don’t know.
Here’s what I do know:
Russians Generals and others from Russia have been indicted for interfering in the most recent campaign.
The President’s Former Campaign chair has been indicted.
The President’s Former Deputy Campaign chair has been indicted.
The President’s Former National Security Advisor has been indicted.
The economy is healthy, although I’m not sure I attribute that to the President.
Comment by Pundent Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 3:27 pm
“chastised other countries for not contributing to NATO”. What does that even mean? There isn’t a pot that countries throw money in.
Comment by gdubya Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 3:36 pm
“Russia cannot compete with us economically or militarily, but sowing seeds of chaos and disruption would slow or cause to reduce the US role and influence world wide.”
Trump and Putin are apparently of one mind on this. Trump praises muderous dictators but attacks our allies. Trump trashes brown and black immigrants and is just downright nasty. Of course this bleeds over into state and local politics, and of course Democrats should run against this when advantageous, like in Illinois, where Trump lost bigly.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 3:41 pm
Jeez dude, instead of parsing technicalities just come out and say “I don’t care “ already. trump leads your team, your team winning is more important than outsiders attacking our voting systems and therefore you don’t care that he had Russian help. It isnt that hard, and would save us all a lot of time and effort.
Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 3:44 pm
===Are you Russian? How do you know when this started?===
Non-bots can do research.
“Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing,” Trump said on July 27.
According to the indictment released Friday, Russian operatives targeted Clinton’s personal emails “for the first time” the same day.
https://www.aol.com/article/news/2018/07/13/russia-indictments-undercut-trumps-denials/23481700/
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 4:27 pm