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"VERY private line of communication between the Kremlin and GOP leaders via the NRA"
Last edited Sat Jul 21, 2018, 10:16 AM - Edit history (1)
EDIT - ADD SOURCE: https://www.wsj.com/articles/bad-debts-fraud-claims-trail-boyfriend-of-alleged-russian-agent-1532121204Paul Erickson, a smooth-talking U.S. political activist, was romantically involved with alleged Russian agent
. . .
Maria Butina worked clandestinely as an agent of the Russian government with connections to Russian intelligence, U.S. prosecutors say.
Paul Erickson was a smooth-talking U.S. political activist who claimed connections to Republican bigwigs, but exaggerated his political ties and had a history of bad debts and fraud claims, interviews with people who know him and a review of court records show.
The couple, who were romantically involved, were together when Ms. Butina was arrested last week in Washington and charged as an unregistered Russian agent. Prosecutors say Ms. Butina, 29, sought Mr. Erickson, 56, as a conduit as she attempted to advance the Kremlin’s interests by leveraging their joint ties with the National Rifle Association and other conservative groups.
Prosecutors allege in court papers that their sexual relationship was a ruse on her part—“simply a necessary aspect of her activities”—and that she secretly “expressed disdain” for cohabiting with him.
. . .
Mr. Erickson also attempted to cultivate ties to the GOP on Russia’s behalf, according to court papers. Prosecutors cite an email he sent to an acquaintance that read in part, “I’ve been involved in securing a VERY private line of communication between the Kremlin” and GOP leaders via the NRA.
Maria Butina worked clandestinely as an agent of the Russian government with connections to Russian intelligence, U.S. prosecutors say.
Paul Erickson was a smooth-talking U.S. political activist who claimed connections to Republican bigwigs, but exaggerated his political ties and had a history of bad debts and fraud claims, interviews with people who know him and a review of court records show.
The couple, who were romantically involved, were together when Ms. Butina was arrested last week in Washington and charged as an unregistered Russian agent. Prosecutors say Ms. Butina, 29, sought Mr. Erickson, 56, as a conduit as she attempted to advance the Kremlin’s interests by leveraging their joint ties with the National Rifle Association and other conservative groups.
Prosecutors allege in court papers that their sexual relationship was a ruse on her part—“simply a necessary aspect of her activities”—and that she secretly “expressed disdain” for cohabiting with him.
. . .
Mr. Erickson also attempted to cultivate ties to the GOP on Russia’s behalf, according to court papers. Prosecutors cite an email he sent to an acquaintance that read in part, “I’ve been involved in securing a VERY private line of communication between the Kremlin” and GOP leaders via the NRA.
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