Posted on Jun 8, 2022
FBI seizes retired general's data related to Qatar lobbying
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https://www.npr.org/2022/06/07/ [login to see] /fbi-seizes-retired-generals-data-related-to-qatar-lobbying
The FBI has seized the electronic data of a retired four-star general who authorities say made false statements and withheld "incriminating" documents about his role in an illegal foreign lobbying campaign on behalf of the wealthy Persian Gulf nation of Qatar.
New federal court filings obtained Tuesday outlined a potential criminal case against former Marine Gen. John R. Allen, who led U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan before being tapped in 2017 to lead the influential Brookings Institution.
It's part of an expanding investigation that has ensnared Richard G. Olson, a former ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan who pleaded guilty to federal charges last week, and Imaad Zuberi, a prolific political donor now serving a 12-year prison sentence on corruption charges.
The court filings detail Allen's behind-the scenes efforts to help Qatar influence U.S. policy in 2017 when a diplomatic crisis erupted between the gas-rich Persian Gulf monarchy and its neighbors.
The FBI has seized the electronic data of a retired four-star general who authorities say made false statements and withheld "incriminating" documents about his role in an illegal foreign lobbying campaign on behalf of the wealthy Persian Gulf nation of Qatar.
New federal court filings obtained Tuesday outlined a potential criminal case against former Marine Gen. John R. Allen, who led U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan before being tapped in 2017 to lead the influential Brookings Institution.
It's part of an expanding investigation that has ensnared Richard G. Olson, a former ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan who pleaded guilty to federal charges last week, and Imaad Zuberi, a prolific political donor now serving a 12-year prison sentence on corruption charges.
The court filings detail Allen's behind-the scenes efforts to help Qatar influence U.S. policy in 2017 when a diplomatic crisis erupted between the gas-rich Persian Gulf monarchy and its neighbors.
FBI seizes retired general's data related to Qatar lobbying
Posted from npr.org
Qatar
Persian/Arabian Gulf
FBI
United Arab Emirates
Corruption
Posted 2 y ago
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Wow. That's HUGE news! Retired G.O.s are required to meet a higher standard in their actions and statements. He should (and very likely will be) taken to considerable task for this.
Great reportage!
Great reportage!
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."Allen also had other financial incentives for helping the Qataris and maintaining strong ties to its top leaders, the FBI said.
"At the same time he was lobbying U.S. government officials on behalf of Qatar, Allen pursued at least one multimillion-dollar business deal with the Qatari government on behalf of a company on whose board of directors he served," the affidavit says.
After returning from their trip to Qatar, Allen and Olson lobbied members of Congress, particularly those who supported a House resolution linking Qatar to terror financing, the FBI said.
Among them was Rep. Ted Lieu, a California Democrat who told law enforcement officials he didn't recall exactly what Allen said but that his impression was he was there "to support the Qatari officials and their position."
..."Allen also had other financial incentives for helping the Qataris and maintaining strong ties to its top leaders, the FBI said.
"At the same time he was lobbying U.S. government officials on behalf of Qatar, Allen pursued at least one multimillion-dollar business deal with the Qatari government on behalf of a company on whose board of directors he served," the affidavit says.
After returning from their trip to Qatar, Allen and Olson lobbied members of Congress, particularly those who supported a House resolution linking Qatar to terror financing, the FBI said.
Among them was Rep. Ted Lieu, a California Democrat who told law enforcement officials he didn't recall exactly what Allen said but that his impression was he was there "to support the Qatari officials and their position."
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