Appointment of Special Counsel to Investigate Russian Interference [View all]

[DirtEdonE]

I don't know if this has been covered in one place yet so I'm posting it here.

I remember back when mueller was appointed Special Counsel, reporting said his investigation could go anywhere the evidence led. Now that it's gone apparently nowhere, I'm seeing information that misconstrues the scope of the Special Counsel's investigation to begin with. I don't think this helps the matter much so here it is in black and white.

Appointment of Special Counsel to Investigate Russian Interference with the 2016 Presidential Campaign and Related Matters

By virtue of the authority vested in me as Acting Attorney General, including 28 U.S.C. && 509, 510 and 515, in order to discharge the responsibility to provide supervision and management of the Department of Justice, and to ensure a full and thorough investigation of the Russian government's efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election, I hereby order as follows:

(a) Robert S. Mueller III is appointed to serve as Special Counsel for the United States Department of Justice.

(b) The Special Counsel is authorized to conduct the investigation confirmed by then-FBI Director James B. Comey in testimony before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence on March 20, 2017, including:

(i) any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump; and

(ii) any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation; and

(iii) any other matters within the scope of 28 C.F.R. & 600.4(a).

(c) If the Special Counsel believes it is necessary and appropriate, the Special Counsel is authorized to prosecute federal crimes arising from the investigation of these matters.

(d) Sections 600.4 through 600.10 of Title 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations are applicable to the Special Counsel.

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3726408-Rosenstein-letter-appointing-Mueller-special.html

LII Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR) Title 28. Judicial Administration Chapter VI. OFFICES OF INDEPENDENT COUNSEL, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Part 600. GENERAL POWERS OF SPECIAL COUNSEL Section 600.4. Jurisdiction.

28 CFR § 600.4 - Jurisdiction.

§ 600.4 Jurisdiction.

(a)Original jurisdiction. The jurisdiction of a Special Counsel shall be established by the Attorney General. The Special Counsel will be provided with a specific factual statement of the matter to be investigated. The jurisdiction of a Special Counsel shall also include the authority to investigate and prosecute federal crimes committed in the course of, and with intent to interfere with, the Special Counsel's investigation, such as perjury, obstruction of justice, destruction of evidence, and intimidation of witnesses; and to conduct appeals arising out of the matter being investigated and/or prosecuted.

(b)Additional jurisdiction. If in the course of his or her investigation the Special Counsel concludes that additional jurisdiction beyond that specified in his or her original jurisdiction is necessary in order to fully investigate and resolve the matters assigned, or to investigate new matters that come to light in the course of his or her investigation, he or she shall consult with the Attorney General, who will determine whether to include the additional matters within the Special Counsel's jurisdiction or assign them elsewhere.

(c)Civil and administrative jurisdiction. If in the course of his or her investigation the Special Counsel determines that administrative remedies, civil sanctions or other governmental action outside the criminal justice system might be appropriate, he or she shall consult with the Attorney General with respect to the appropriate component to take any necessary action. A Special Counsel shall not have civil or administrative authority unless specifically granted such jurisdiction by the Attorney General.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/28/600.4

LII Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR) Title 28. Judicial Administration Chapter VI. OFFICES OF INDEPENDENT COUNSEL, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Part 600. GENERAL POWERS OF SPECIAL COUNSEL

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/28/part-600