While waiting for Donald Trump’s former campaign manager to be convicted, I took a google at some names that have dropped off the radar, as of late.
And what did I find?
Republican fundraiser Elliott Broidy is under federal investigation for allegedly telling foreign officials he could influence the Trump administration to take certain actions in exchange for tens of millions of dollars, The Washington Post reported Friday.
The Post reported that two sources said Broidy is being investigated by the Justice Department for allegedly coming up with a plan to try to talk the administration into sending a Chinese dissident back to his home country. Broidy is also being investigated based on allegations that he wanted $75 million from a Malaysian business official to get the Justice Department to end its probe of a development fund under the control of the Malaysian government, according to the report.
The Post reported that Justice Department investigators are asking for documents related to Broidy's business dealings. Broidy's attorney Chris Clark, of the law firm Latham & Watkins, denied that his client had been involved in such dealings.
"Elliott Broidy has never agreed to work for, been retained by nor been compensated by any foreign government for any interaction with the United States Government,ever," Clark said in a statement provided to CNN. "Any implication to the contrary is a lie.”
The Justice Department declined to comment to the Post.…….the White House directed the Post to the Republican National Committee for comment, according to the report. The RNC also declined to comment to the Post.
So, it’s much worse than what Michael Cohen got caught doing. Cohen sought to sell Trump-influence to corporations for a few million, to sway administration policy.
Broidy apparently sold Trump-influence to foreign governments for closer to $100 million.
And the ramifications of his “work” were that a Chinese dissident would be sent back to China, and likely exposed to torture.
It is one thing for the Chinese to send people here to kidnap, harass, and torture dissidents.
It is quite another for an American citizen, former Finance Chairman for the RNC, to be helping them.
Activists, journalists and critics of Chinese leadership and authority tell stories of surveillance and threats abroad.
I was kidnapped by the Chinese secret police. I didn't know where I was detained. And then I was physically tortured.
— Teng Biao, former China-based civil rights lawyer
[...]
"I thought that I escaped from the fear," says Xue. "I was going to enjoy freedom, human rights, democracy and the rule of law. But I realised that they are here, their people, their network, their power, and everything is here."
— Sheng Xue
Some say they have received death threats and been confronted by Chinese agents in their new countries. Others say they have been victims of blackmail and intimidation.
"Chinese authorities took photos of my son while he was on his way to school," says Wen Yunchao, a well-known Chinese blogger who moved his family to New York. "They just wanted to let me know that at any time they can harm my child ... forcing me to do what they want."
More from WaPo
As part of their efforts, prosecutors have subpoenaed casino magnate Steve Wynn, the former RNC finance chairman and longtime Trump friend, for copies of records and communications related to Broidy.
[...]
Wynn was tapped by Trump to serve as the RNC’s lead fundraiser after the election. Earlier this year, he stepped down from that post and from his executive role at his resort company after reports of sexual misconduct. Wynn has denied the allegations of inappropriate behavior.
ETTD