This is consistent with what we've learned about this server being an outbound messaging server (e.g. a bulk/spam mailer). It couldn't receive any inbound messages. On the stand now is former FBI Agent Allison Sands, who led the Counter Intel Investigation out of Chicago: * Worked for Cyberpoint in the UAE before joining the FBI; worked at FBI for 3+ years (now at ROKU) * Sands was a "brick agent" for 3.5 years and only an agent for 3 months when she got the assignment * She says she did most of the work on the case * Data was incomplete -- all they were given was screen shots (likely by design) * Obtained tons of data from GoDaddy, Listrak and and Central Dynamics in an attempt to recreate activity * Says White Paper was being floated around to academics......(who was doing this? Joffe & co?) * Field agents were prevented from learning the source of the Alfa Bank (which means she didn't know) * Cyber agent was able to interview CHS via his/her handler (must be Joffe, since he had a handler) * CHS said data was incomplete but plausible (LMAO, since he likely helped create it) * She asked who the source of the data was and was told HQ was working on getting the info (clearly a delay tactic) * Sands concluded there was no covert server * She was told to close the case (doesn't mention by who) * Only time in her 3 years with the bureau where she had to give status updates 1-2 x a day (Comey/McCabe must have been anxious) * Case was closed on January 18, 2017 (but sufficient damage done to Trump at this point) * Says she wouldn't change her technical approach, but not knowing the source didn't allow her to perform a sanity check before she started her investigation. Update on X-examination * Sands heard that Joffe provided info to his handler on September 21, 2016 (2 days after Sussmann's meeting with Baker) * Sands says Heide told her the info came from the DOJ to the FBI (so she documented this -- even though it was incorrect) * Defense says her notes saying the source was DOJ to FBI were circulated widely within the bureau (and it was incorrect) * Sands testifies that she only later found out that the infomation came to James Baker via an anonymous source * Sands says she was never told about anything about a DNC attorney * Sands says had she known the info came to the bureau via a CHS, she would have wanted to speak to the handler. Bypassing the handler and going directly to the FBI speaks to credibility, motive * Sands says she wanted to know who wrote the white paper. Says at some point she learned the identity. A 10/6/16 email from Agent Chris Tifiletti (Springfield, IL) mentions a handler of a CHS who indicates David Dagon of GA Tech is possibly involved * Sands says she never interviewed Dagon and can't recall why -- then says she was either told to not take that step or focus instead on the logs (reminder, her supervisor on this case appears to be Strzok) * Defense attorneys get Sands to admit that Joffe and Dagon may have been sincere in their beliefs (that data was credible) * FBI Handler Thomas Grasso offered that Joffe was willing to speak to the FBI * Email to Sands from another agent venting frustration that Alfa Bank investigation is a waste of time