As Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference churns on, the list of individuals the special counsel
hasn't interviewed is arguably as interesting as those he has. And given his communications with WikiLeaks and Russian hacker Guccifer 2.0,
professional ratfucker and longtime
Donald Trumpconfidant Roger Stone ranks near the top. Stone has yet to be called in for questioning himself, but reports suggest Mueller has taken an interest in Stone, probing said WikiLeaks links, as well as his
relationship with Rick Gates, the former deputy chairman of the Trump campaign who's cooperating with the government. And at the end of last week, Mueller's escalating probe engulfed two more known Stone associates: Randy Credico, a comedian and radio-show host, and "Manhattan Madam" Kristin Davis, a former employee and close friend of Stone's, adding to a growing list of people in the Republican operative's orbit to come under the microscope of the F.B.I.
The role of Credico in the Russian melodrama that has captivated Capitol Hill for the past two years is a curious one. Stone has claimed that Credico gave him information from WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who appeared on the latter's radio show, about plans to release hacked e-mails from the Hillary Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee. Of course, true to form, Stone's account has shifted over time. In August 2016, Stone said, "I actually have communicated with Assange." Months later, Stone walked back this assertion, claiming that a "journalist"—whom he later identified as Credico—acted as an "intermediary" between him and the WikiLeaks founder. Then, in September 2017, Stone's lawyer told the Senate Intelligence Committee, "Mr. Stone concedes that describing Credico as a go-between or intermediary is a bit of salesmanship." Credico, meanwhile, has maintained that he did not act as an information broker between the two, but simply directed Stone to Assange's public statements. (Stone has denied any wrongdoing.)
Regardless, Credico's involvement has long piqued Mueller's interest. After Credico rejected a request for a voluntary interview, the special counsel subpoenaed the radio-show host for a grand jury interview on September 7, according to his lawyer, Martin Stolar. Stolar
told CNN that it is unclear what Mueller seeks from Credico, but speculated, "They probably want to talk to him about Roger Stone and Julian Assange." Citing two sources familiar with the matter,
Mother Jones reported Monday that investigators are also reviewing a batch of e-mails Stone sent Credico after the latter disputed his claims about the contacts with WikiLeaks—specifically, the special counsel is reportedly interested in the extent to which Credico interpreted them as threats. "I am so ready. Let's get it on. Prepare to die cock sucker," Stone reportedly wrote to Credico in an e-mail dated April 9.
