This week New York Mayor Eric Adams was indicted for allegedly receiving illegal campaign contributions from foreign nationals, using straw donors and a quid-pro-quo arrangement. So just how strong are the charges? As hosts Renato Mariotti and Asha Ranagga explain, It’s Complicated. Subscribe to our Patreon here, where paid members will get access to exclusive portions of this show. patreon.com/reallyamericanmediaWe’ll discuss the multifaceted elements of the charges, including campaign finance fraud, bribery, and foreign influence. Renato, a former federal prosecutor, recaps the arduous investigative journey it would require to crack this case, and discusses the many legal challenges a trial will face.They explore the intersection of national security and public corruption, and cover a broader trend of foreign influence in U.S. politics, with cases involving influences from Egypt, Turkey, and Russia. You’ll also hear about the diplomatic and geopolitical nuances of these examples and find out how such revelations can derail international relations and domestic policies.Adams is also accused of using the foreign funds to receive matching money from New York State, and allegedly provided favors in exchange for the contributions. According to the indictment, Adams received lavish perks and benefits from Turkish Airlines in exchange for intervening to secure a fire safety certificate for a Turkish skyscraper, despite significant fire code violations. You won’t believe what else Adams allegedly gave them in exchange. But critical questions remain - like who in Eric Adams’ circle is cooperating with authorities?Asha breaks down Adam's broader scheme, and explains why even though many individuals are implicated in the web of corruption, Adams is the only named defendant. Renato and Asha agree that while the legalities of the case present serious challenges, the overall perception of Adams trading influence with a foreign government will not sit well with a jury. And they’ll explain why the indictment is as much about exposing the foreign influence on U.S. officials as it is about prosecuting the specific charges.For more expert analysis and in-depth discussions on high-profile legal cases, be sure to tune in next week. Stay informed, stay engaged, and be part of the conversation about the future of American justice, right here on It's Complicated. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, hosts Renato Mariotti and Asha Rangappa analyze the bombshell arrest of music mogul P. Diddy, and the shocking charges he faces of sexual assault, kidnapping, bribery, and obstruction of justice. Find out how Diddy’s indictment is a part of a growing Department of Justice trend of applying the RICO statute to prosecute celebrity-involved scandals and domestic terrorism.Subscribe to our Patreon here, where paid members will get access to exclusive portions of this show. patreon.com/reallyamericanmediaWe’ll unpack Diddy’s complex legal charges, and discuss how the RICO statute—a law originally designed to combat organized crime-plays into it all. Find out here how Department of Justice strategies have evolved to meet the growing challenges of prosecuting hate crimes, domestic terrorism, and sex trafficking.Our hosts discuss how R. Kelly's case compares to Diddy’s, and they give us all the details on a new disturbing indictment of members from the Terrorgram Collective, a white supremacist group spreading violence and extremism globally using the Telegram app. The RICO statute is typically used to address organized crime where a hierarchical structure exists, making its application to a celebrity's entourage and business operations novel and intriguing. Asha and Renato highlight the innovative application of RICO, and the Justice Department's evolving strategies in countering both celebrity-involved scandals and organized hate crimes.How successful will federal prosecutors be in prosecuting these cases? What kind of defense will Diddy’s legal team offer up? And how could this impact the rest of the entertainment industry? Get the answers right here.And be sure to tune in next week, as Asha and Renato continue to provide the expert analysis and legal insight you need on another very special episode. Stay informed, stay engaged, and be part of the conversation about the future of American justice, right here on It’s Complicated.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this all-new episode, Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor, and Asha Rangappa, a national security law professor, dissect the recent dismissal of three felony charges against Trump and his co-defendants in Georgia, two of which directly implicated the former president. Why does any of this matter in the grand scheme of things? Well, it's complicated.Subscribe to our Patreon here, where paid members will get access to exclusive portions of this show. patreon.com/reallyamericanmediaAsha and Renato delve into the complexities of the Georgia case, which contains a sprawling indictment against Donald Trump and other defendants that still has 32-counts remaining, including the wide-ranging racketeering charge. You’ll also hear their analysis on that judge's ruling on state versus federal supremacy in perjury cases which resulted in last week’s dismissals and you’ll get an overall update on the status of District Attorney Fani Willis' case. Our hosts also discuss the various legal challenges and rulings from the Georgia case, including several previously quashed charges over issues related to specificity and perjury. Burrowing into the weeds, we’ll cover the unique challenges of determining jurisdiction and reach in state versus federal law in these groundbreaking cases. And you’ll hear an expert examination of how the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause and the Electoral Count Act play into it all. Asha and Renato also explore how these recent developments will impact those who pleaded guilty to Georgia charges that have since been quashed. Specifically, they ponder over convicted Trump lawyer Kenneth Cheeseborough’s plea deal and what the nullified charges might mean for him.  They’ll also explain why the Fulton County’s Election Board’s potential growing influence on national elections is so significant, and give you the latest on the Democratic Party’s major lawsuit filed against the Board.For more highly entertaining detailed legal insights and expert analysis, be sure to tune in next week for a very special episode. Stay informed, stay engaged, and be part of the conversation about the future of American justice, right here on It’s Complicated. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Asha Rangappa, a national security law professor, and Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor, explore the recent indictment of two Russian nationals for their role in a U.S. disinformation campaign. They dissect the implications for conservative influencers like Tim Pool and Dave Rubin, caught in the web of foreign funding. The discussion navigates the challenges between influence and victimhood, highlights the blurred lines of accountability, and critiques the GOP's alignment with Russian narratives, revealing the far-reaching impact on American politics.

Special Counsel Jack Smith just filed a superseding indictment against former President Donald Trump in the wake of the Supreme Court's historic presidential immunity ruling earlier this summer.In today's all-new episode our hosts  Renato Mariotti and Asha Rangappa give their expert analysis of Trump’s brand new indictment. Before diving in, make sure to subscribe to our Patreon for exclusive access to deeper insights and behind-the-scenes content: patreon.com/reallyamericanmedia.You’ll learn why Special Counsel Jack Smith needed to convene a new grand jury for this week's new indictment. We'll also discuss how the superseding indictment seeks to outmaneuver the Supreme Court’s controversial decision on presidential immunity. Lastly, our hosts will project the potential outcomes of the case, including delays and why it's likely swift appeals will result from any forthcoming decision.Renato elaborates on the gamble of Jack Smith, and explains how the new filing cleans up old charges and makes prosecution more effective. Asha highlights the complex role of the Supreme Court’s presidential immunity decision on the case and provides an in-depth analysis of the distinction between legislative and executive acts.  And our hosts also provide a new update on the appeal of Judge Cannon's dismissal of the Mar-a-Lago indictment, discussing how the focus on statutory interpretations and historical context support special counsel appointments.Tune in next week as we continue to unpack all of the ongoing political legal drama. Stay informed, stay engaged, and be part of the conversation about the future of American justice, right here on It’s Complicated. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Screwed is George Santos? It’s Complicated. Former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti and Yale national security law professor Asha Rangappa examine the numerous criminal schemes perpetrated by expelled former Rep. George Santos’ (R-NY). Our hosts discuss how his likely sentencing will measure up to typical white-collar criminals in the wake of his guilty plea deal last week. Subscribe to our Patreon here, where paid members will get access to exclusive portions of this show: patreon.com/reallyamericanmediaGet ready for a deep dive into the former Long Island Republican Congressman’s systematic pattern of meticulous fraud, with a few eye-popping details of how he brazenly continued his schemes inside the halls of the Capitol.Santos illegally misappropriated funds from campaign donors, fraudulently charged credit cards in DC. But his criminal turn began in New York when he obtained unemployment benefits under false pretenses, and lied several times on official reports in his home state. Our hosts highlight the many challenges in prosecuting these types of crimes. Interestingly, they revealed a legal movement toward lenient prison sentences for white-collar criminals. The episode also touches on the shocking new charges stemming from the tragic death of Friends actor Matthew Perry.Asha and Renato break down the gravity of alleged crimes, including over-prescribing lethal doses of sedatives, distribution of controlled substances, and falsifying medical records.This episode is packed with expert analysis, legal insights, and the kind of in-depth discussion that you won’t want to miss. And be sure to tune in next week for another very special episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this AWESOME episode, our hosts - former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti and Yale law professor Asha Rangappa - dive into the complex dilemma of sentencing Donald Trump before the November election. Subscribe to our Patreon here, where paid members will get access to exclusive portions of this show. patreon.com/reallyamericanmediaWe’ll examine Trump's lawyer's recent request to delay sentencing, the impact the Supreme Court's immunity decision will have on the hearing’s outcome, and the likelihood of success for any appeals. And you’ll hear our take on what impact the sentencing will have on Trump's electoral prospects and future legal strategy.Renato and Asha share their expert opinions on Trump’s lawyers’ repetitive requests for recusal, and dissect bogus claims of conflict of interest and election interference. They’ll also walk us through the various sentencing options Trump is facing and discuss how even modest penalties could impact his public perception and deal a devastating blow to his presidential campaign. This is a MUST-LISTEN for anyone trying to find out what happens next in Trump’s legal saga. And be sure to tune in next week for more expert analysis and insight you won’t find anywhere else! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why is Jack Smith asking for more time in the Jan 6th case? Well, it’s complicated.And we have some very exciting news to share. We have recently partnered with Really American Media to take our podcast to the next level. They are going to exponentially speed up our production times and help us deliver more exclusive, hard-hitting content like this. “And what it means is that we're going to have conversations together and you're going to see the results very quickly,” Renato said. “Not only in our regular podcast feed, but you'll actually see the video on the Really American YouTube channel.”In this all new episode, hosts Renato Mariotti and Asha Rangappa move past the sound bites and talking points to discuss the special counsel’s surprising move and its implications for the upcoming election. You can subscribe to our Patreon here, where paid members will get access to exclusive portions of this show. patreon.com/reallyamericanmediaListen in as our leading legal experts give you the latest update on the Jan 6 case and explore the possible strategic considerations that need to be made by Merrick Garland moving forward. They’ll also break down the complexities of the Supreme Court's decision on presidential immunity and take a hard look at how that will impact Trump’s many pending felony charges in the future.We’ll also talk about the many challenges of overcoming Donald Trump’s prevailing narratives and ongoing attacks on Kamala Harris, and share some hilarious personal anecdotes about dealing with household emergencies. The legal landscape surrounding Donald Trump remains fluid and unpredictable. So be sure to stay tuned for the next episode of It’s Complicated as Asha and Renato help us navigate these complex times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a bit of a departure from the usual subjects Asha and Renato weigh in on politics. In particular, how the label of “weird” is sticking to JD Vance. Also, what it must be like for Usha to ride along with her husband’s new-found love of Trump.Plus, Renato is a bit of a swinger…on the dance floor.Questions for the pod?https://formfacade.com/sm/euYIPJdVe Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariottiFollow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/Follow Renato on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renato.mariotti/Follow Renato on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@renato.mariotti Opening Theme and Bumper music provided by eitanepsteinmusic / Pond5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Asha and Renato go over the current state of Trump’s criminal trials. Renato shares his surprise prediction about the Manhattan conviction.Plus, Asha barely made it home from her vacation!Watch this episode on YouTube:https://youtu.be/ZWzalIusTr0  Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariottiFollow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/Follow Renato on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renato.mariotti/Follow Renato on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@renato.mariotti Opening Theme and Bumper music provided by eitanepsteinmusic / Pond5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices