A hidden mic recording disclosed that Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) convinced former Trump aide Roger Stone that he would not have to do prison time, as the “boss” would exonerate him.
Stone was encouraged by Gaetz that Trump would move his sentence or fully absolve him in October 2019.
However, Gaetz anticipated Stone would indeed be convicted of his conspiracy charges of impeding a federal inquiry, according to audio that was procured by the Washington Post.
Stone was on trial for allegedly obstructing an investigation into whether or not the Trump campaign colluded with Russia during the 2016 election.
The Recording
In the audio, Gaetz can be heard saying the “boss” continues to have a very positive opinion of Stone. Gaetz then said he does not believe the big guy will be able to let Stone go under for this.
🚨 As Roger Stone prepared to stand trial in 2019, he complained that he was under pressure from prosecutors to incriminate Donald Trump.
In this recording, Matt Gaetz assures Stone that “the boss has a very favorable view of you." (audio)pic.twitter.com/ca24sGNuuJ
— The Intellectualist (@highbrow_nobrow) July 30, 2022
Backstage during AMPFest, a conference hosted by the pro-Trump organization American Priority at one of Trump’s estates in South Florida, the exchange took place.
As a result of a large number of reporters taping interviews, Gaetz decided not to share any additional information regarding the manner in which he was working toward gaining Stone a pardon.
According to the report, the congressman from Florida stated he was unaware he was being monitored by a Danish film team working on a short film about Stone.
New WaPo: As Roger Stone prepared to stand trial in 2019, complaining he was under pressure from federal prosecutors to incriminate Trump, Republican Matt Gaetz repeatedly assured Stone "the boss" would pardon him if he were convicted, a recording shows. https://t.co/JcQPfQilgq
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) July 30, 2022
According to the tape, Gaetz is heard saying he does not feel in a position to comment freely about the work he has previously done because there are so many recording devices everywhere right now.
It is also possible to hear the congressman informing Stone he was “f***ed” once it came to the court case because of the political inclinations in the largely Democratic Washington, D.C.
Gaetz also made reference to sections of special prosecutor Robert Mueller’s report that were redacted but contained references to Roger Stone.
According to the Post, the congressman warned Stone he would not have a defense and he would be finished.
Sentencing and Pardon
The Department of Justice presented congressional leaders with various quantities of the data that had been censored, including representatives of the House Judiciary Committee, of which Gaetz is a member.
The outcomes that both of Gaetz’s forecasts predicted came to pass. Stone was found guilty and sentenced to 40 months imprisonment for obstruction of justice, with an additional 12 months to be served sequentially for five other counts.
However, Trump pardoned Stone in 2020, just before he left office. Stone was scheduled to serve his time concurrently.
The congressman’s words reflect both his ideas at the time and his current stance, according to Gaetz’s office.
The recordings were made as a part of the Danish feature-length documentary titled “A Storm Foretold,” which is scheduled to be released later this year.
This article appeared in The Political Globe and has been published here with permission.
