Crime & Justice

Ex-Trump adviser Tom Barrack pleads not guilty to illegal foreign lobbying

New York, July 27 (EFE).- Tom Barrack, an ally of former President Donald Trump, has pleaded not guilty to charges of illegal foreign lobbying for the United Arab Emirates.

Barrack, 74, entered his plea at a federal courthouse in New York on Monday, days after his release on a massive $250 million bail bond.

“I think what you will find is that … over time, you will all see that I am 100 percent innocent,” Barrack said as he left the court.

Judge Sanket Bulsara upheld the $250 million bond and listed the next hearing in the case for Sept.2.

Authorities arrested Barrack last Tuesday after the Justice Department accused him of influencing the Trump administration on behalf of the UAE.

The department alleged that Barrack and his co-accused acted and conspired “as agents of the UAE between April 2016 and April 2018.”

They tried to influence the foreign policy positions of the Trump campaign and the subsequent US government.

They also sought “to influence public opinion in favor of UAE interests.”

The indictment also charges Barrack with obstruction of justice and making multiple false statements during a June 20, 2019, interview with federal law enforcement agents.

The other co-accused are Barrack’s former aid Matthew Grimes, 27, and Emirati businessman Rashid al-Malik, 43.

The judge prohibited the former Trump ally from contacting any UAE representative, traveling in private jets, and carrying out any bank transactions abroad.

Domestic bank transactions will have to be less than $50,000.

Barrack has permission to travel only to southern California to see his children and New York for future court hearings.

The authorities have placed an electronic device on his ankle to keep an eye if he abides by the bail conditions.

Barrack has known Trump for decades.

He was an adviser to Trump’s 2016 campaign before becoming the inaugural committee chair in 2017. EFE

hc-ssk

Related Articles

Back to top button