Steele source Igor Danchenko acquitted in 2nd big loss for Special Counsel John Durham
A federal jury in Alexandria, Virginia, acquitted Igor Danchenko of all charges Tuesday, handing Special Counsel John Durham his second — and likely final — courtroom loss in his three-and-a-half year investigation. Durham had charged Danchenko, a Russian-born private researcher, with five counts of lying to the FBI about the sources of the information he passed on to ex-British spy Christopher Steele for a dossier of raw intelligence on former President Donald Trump's ties to Russia.
U.S. District Judge Anthony Trenga threw out one of the charges last Friday, and the jury, after nine hours of deliberation over two days, acquitted Danchenko of the other four counts on Tuesday evening. The jurors were "pretty unanimous" in how they viewed the case, juror Joel Greene told The Washington Post. "We looked at everything really closely," and "the conclusion we reached was the conclusion we all were able to reach."
Durham was appointed by then-Attorney General William Barr in 2019 to investigate the origins of the Justice Department's investigation of the Trump campaign's dealings with Russia in the 2016 election. He secured a plea deal with FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith, who was given a year of probation after admitting to altering a government email used to justify secret surveillance of Trump campaign foreign policy adviser Carter Page. Durham's only other case, charging cybersecurity lawyer Michael Sussmann with one count of lying to the FBI, ended in acquittal in May.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
This is expected to be Durham's last case as special counsel, though as Fox News notes, he will lay out his broader findings in a final report that may or may not be released to the public.
This case was unusual because Durham spent much of the trial attacking his own FBI witnesses, who ended up corroborating much of Danchenko's defense arguments and lamenting that his prosecution deprived the FBI of a valuable informant. Danchenko did not take the stand or call any witnesses.
Durham said in a statement after the verdict was handed down that he is "disappointed in the outcome" but "we respect the jury's decision and thank them for their service." Danchenko's lawyer Stuart Sears said the prosecution was "a nightmare" for Danchenko and his family, adding, "We have known all along that Igor Danchenko was innocent and we are glad the American public knows that now too."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Did Kamala Harris kill brat?
Talking Point Pop culture phenomenon co-opted by presidential candidate sparks claims brat is over
By Jamie Timson, The Week UK Published
-
Paris Olympics: will it be a success?
Today's Big Question Organisers hope the 'spectacle' of the 2024 Games will lift the cloud of negativity that has hung over the build-up
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 20 - 26 July
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By The Week Staff Published
-
Netanyahu makes controversial address
Speed Reads Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress denounced Gaza war protestors
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Why is China stockpiling resources?
The Explainer The superpower has been amassing huge reserves of commodities at great cost despite its economic downturn
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
The GOP is Donald Trump Jr.'s party now
In The Spotlight The former president's gun-loving, live-streaming adult son has emerged as more than just his father's namesake — he's become a Republican powerhouse of his own
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
For God and country: is religion in politics making a comeback?
Talking Point There are many MPs of faith in the new Labour government despite it being the most openly secular House of Commons in history
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The attack on Donald Trump
Opinion We've seen this kind of shooter before
By Susan Caskie Published
-
74 things Donald Trump has said about women
Feature The former president has a long history of controversial remarks about the opposite sex
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
DHS opens review of Trump assassination attempt
Speed Read An independent panel will investigate the Secret Service's handling of the shooting
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Can Kamala Harris beat Trump?
Today's Big Question Some senior Democrats are unsure the vice-president can win in November even as party closes ranks behind her
By The Week UK Published