Two foreign-born associates of the president’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, who’d been assisting him in his personal investigation of alleged wrongdoing by Obama administration members in Ukraine, have been arrested and charged with violating federal campaign finance laws.
Left largely unmentioned in media reports is the fact that the criminal charges are for activities entirely unrelated to Giuliani or President Trump, and were instead alleged to have occurred prior to their linking up with Giuliani.
“Straw” donations
The Daily Caller reported that Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman were named along with two other individuals in an indictment unsealed on Thursday following their arrest late on Wednesday. Giuliani himself is not mentioned in the indictment.
The four men are essentially accused of engaging in a conspiracy to violate campaign finance laws by making “straw” donations to political candidates and committees which concealed the foreign origin of the donated funds that were intended to advance political and business interests and gain influence.
Specifically, the four men are alleged to have “conspired to circumvent the federal laws against foreign influence by engaging in a scheme to funnel foreign money to candidates for federal and state office so that the defendants could buy potential influence with candidates, campaigns, and the candidates’ government.”
In addition to that scheme, the individuals are also accused of working to advance the interests of at least one Ukrainian government official with whom they were associated — primarily, to see the then-U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine recalled or removed from her post.
Buying influence
The 21-page indictment alleges that Parnas and Fruman made a donation of $325,000 to an unnamed political action committee in 2018, which is believed to be a pro-Trump Super PAC. That PAC, in turn, made approximately $3 million in donations to an unnamed member of Congress, who is believed to have been Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX). It appears that Parnas and Fruman also made direct donations to Sessions, albeit in a manner that concealed the origin of the donated funds.
Parnas is also known to have met with Sessions to pass along the Ukrainian government’s request that the ambassador be recalled from Ukraine, a message that Sessions is believed to have passed along to the White House. Some time later, Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch — who was accused of having a strong “anti-Trump bias” — was recalled from Ukraine.
Furthermore, the indicted individuals are accused of conspiring to influence local Nevada politicians — including by making campaign donations — in a bid to help launch a recreational marijuana business that was funded by an unnamed foreign national, believed to be a Russian who wanted to keep his identity a secret, given the partisan political turmoil over Russia. The planned business never fully materialized.
Indictment unrelated to Giuliani’s work in Ukraine
This activity occurred prior to Parnas and Fruman associating with Giuliani in 2019 to assist him in his information-gathering venture in Ukraine. Giuliani was focused on obtaining evidence of Obama administration officials conspiring with Ukrainian officials to meddle in the 2016 election as well as alleged corruption related to former Vice President Joe Biden’s son Hunter.
It would appear that the role of Parnas and Fruman was to help facilitate meetings between Giuliani and various Ukrainian officials.
409 Responses
478656 150627I undoubtedly didnt comprehend that. Learnt some thing new nowadays! Thanks for that. 905040
542975 565637I like the way you conduct your posts. Hmm 236358
I am the co-founder of JustCBD label (justcbdstore.com) and I’m presently planning to expand my wholesale side of company. It would be great if anybody at targetdomain give me some advice . I considered that the best way to accomplish this would be to talk to vape companies and cbd stores. I was hoping if anybody could recommend a reputable web site where I can get Vape Shop Business Lists I am currently reviewing creativebeartech.com, theeliquidboutique.co.uk and wowitloveithaveit.com. On the fence which one would be the best option and would appreciate any support on this. Or would it be simpler for me to scrape my own leads? Suggestions?
May I simply just say what a comfort to uncover an individual who genuinely knows what they’re talking about on the net. You certainly understand how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people should check this out and understand this side of the story. I was surprised you are not more popular because you definitely have the gift.
Hi there! I just would like to offer you a big thumbs up for your excellent information you have here on this post. I’ll be coming back to your website for more soon.
I could not resist commenting. Very well written!
Very good blog post. I certainly love this site. Thanks!
I have to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this blog. I’m hoping to view the same high-grade content by you later on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own site now 😉
May I simply just say what a comfort to uncover someone who truly understands what they’re discussing online. You definitely understand how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More people ought to check this out and understand this side of your story. I was surprised that you are not more popular because you definitely possess the gift.
794914 152677cleaning supplies need to have earth friendly organic ingredients so that they do not harm the environment 624472
I just want to tell you that I am newbie to blogging and site-building and actually loved your web-site. Most likely I’m want to bookmark your blog post . You amazingly have exceptional stories. With thanks for revealing your web site.
I simply want to tell you that I am all new to weblog and definitely savored you’re web site. More than likely I’m planning to bookmark your blog post . You actually have exceptional articles and reviews. Thanks a bunch for sharing your blog.
727076 410314I got what you mean , saved to bookmarks , extremely decent internet site. 790778
326439 306884An attention-grabbing dialogue is value comment. I believe which you want to write a lot more on this matter, it wont be a taboo subject even so usually individuals are not sufficient to speak on such topics. Towards the next. Cheers 816120
781522 476265I like this blog its a master peace ! Glad I observed this on google . 458237
Shop; Unique Functions. Simple Product Layouts. Post with review. Advanced Product Layout. Best conversion pages. Frontend Search · Listing example …
Welcome to iBeautys Best, iBeautys Best is the number one destination for Latest Beauty Products. Here you can easily buy your desired product from all over the world with very reasonable price.
David-Home Northeast is your premier source for all of your Real Estate investing needs. We provide a variety of solutions for sellers looking to sell fast and investors looking to grow their real estate investment portfolios for better returns. At David-Home Northeast, we are dedicated to improving and redeveloping the areas that we operate in. We specialize in helping sellers of distressed properties (single and multi-family homes, commercial, retail, bank REOs, etc.) find buyers looking to invest. Let us put our network of cash home buyers and private money lenders to work for you so you can say “David” to that old unwanted property.
911275 388411I like this post, enjoyed this 1 regards for posting . 442106
Natural Releaf CBD | New York CBD Store with locations in Murray Hill, NY | Upper East Side, NY | White Plains, NY Serving New York City, NY and Westchester, NY High Quality CBD Products With Lab Test
Magnificent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your website, how can i subscribe for a weblog site? The account aided me a applicable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright transparent concept|
BUY CHEAP IBOGAINHow much ibogaine dosage should I take
Love watching sunset !
Love watching sunset !
Best view i have ever seen !
575684 615816Can I just now say that of a relief to locate somebody who truly knows what theyre speaking about online. You really know how to bring a difficulty to light and function out it crucial. The diet need to have to see this and appreciate this side on the story. I cant believe youre no a lot more popular since you certainly possess the gift. 682367
winoutt
Love watching sunset !
390234 433941Highest quality fella toasts, or toasts. will most definitely be given birth to product or service ? from the party therefore supposed to become surprising, humorous coupled with enlightening likewise. very best man speaches 219143
PUMPKIN SPICE
My brother suggested I may like this blog. He was entirely right. This post truly made my day. You can not imagine just how so much time I had spent for this information! Thank you!
Temperature Scanning
I believe you have mentioned some very interesting points , regards for the post.
GEM-CAR auto repair shop management software is arguably the most comprehensive software of its kind currently available. Lauded for its easy to use modules including CRM, digital inspection and electronic punch clock: it provides the repair shop operator with a complete system to run the business. GEM-CAR puts the shop operator firmly in the driver’s seat. And if you are a fleet operator look for GEM-FLEET our fleet management software.
An fascinating dialogue is worth comment. I think that it is best to write extra on this topic, it won’t be a taboo topic but usually people are not sufficient to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers
Hi there! I just would like to give an enormous thumbs up for the good info you’ve right here on this post. I shall be coming back to your weblog for extra soon.
My brother suggested I might like this web site. He was entirely right. This post truly made my day. You can not imagine simply how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
267386 664323Do people still use these? Personally I love gadgets but I do prefer something a bit much more up to date. Still, nicely written piece thanks. 175125
pitkä veto
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read something like this before. So good to search out anyone with some unique thoughts on this subject. realy thanks for beginning this up. this web site is one thing that is needed on the net, someone with a little bit originality. useful job for bringing one thing new to the internet!