Trump pledged to “drain the swamp” of money and influence in Washington. But sludge has kept pouring in — and some of it is coming from foreigners who are trying to buy sway with the president's administration
Donald Trump pledged to “drain the swamp” of money and influence in Washington. But sludge has kept pouring in — and some of it is coming through Trump-world from foreigners who are trying to buy sway with the president and his advisers.and charged with trying to aid Ukrainian and Russian foreign nationals by secretly directing $325,000 to a pro-Trump super PAC.
“This is something that I believe is an increasing issue,” said one Republican election lawyer, who requested anonymity to speak frankly about issues related to his work. “When we’re dealing with foreign money, pretty much everyone agrees that it’s not allowed. You’re dealing with nefarious actors who are intentionally circumventing the law.”
The donations helped Parnas and Fruman “gain access to exclusive political events and gain influence with other politicians,” while they worked to advance their own business goals and that of at least one Ukranian government official whom they were working on behalf of.Parnas and Fruman partnered with a powerful Washington ally, Giuliani, with whom they worked on efforts including a push to have the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine removed from her post.
Illegal lobbying on behalf of former governments has also ensnared former Trump officials. Manafort and an associate, Rick Gates, were indicted after extensive foreign lobbying work and accused of filing false statements in their claims about lobbying for foreign countries, including a pro-Russian party in Ukraine. The indictment claimed Manafort laundered more than $18 million.
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