DOJ Charges Russian National as Foreign Spy
- 6 years ago
DOJ Charges Russian National
as Foreign Spy Maria Butina was arrested and charged with conspiracy to act as an agent of the Russian government. The U.S. Justice Department accuses her of developing ties with American citizens and infiltrating political groups. She is accused of working at the direction of a high-level official who worked for the Russian Central Bank. Butina is a founder of the pro-gun rights Russian advocacy organization 'Right to Bear Arms.' The complaint says she tried to influence American politics and infiltrate a pro-gun rights organization. Photos on Butina's Facebook page show she has attended events sponsored by the National Rifle Association. She allegedly arranged dinners in Washington and New York City and tried to develop relationships with
American politicians. The complaint says she sought to establish “back channel” lines of communication, to “penetrate the U.S. national decision-making apparatus to advance the agenda of the Russian Federation." The complaint does not explicitly mention Trump’s campaign by name. However, Butina was a Trump supporter. Reuters reports that she bragged she could use her connections to help get people jobs in the Trump administration after the election.
as Foreign Spy Maria Butina was arrested and charged with conspiracy to act as an agent of the Russian government. The U.S. Justice Department accuses her of developing ties with American citizens and infiltrating political groups. She is accused of working at the direction of a high-level official who worked for the Russian Central Bank. Butina is a founder of the pro-gun rights Russian advocacy organization 'Right to Bear Arms.' The complaint says she tried to influence American politics and infiltrate a pro-gun rights organization. Photos on Butina's Facebook page show she has attended events sponsored by the National Rifle Association. She allegedly arranged dinners in Washington and New York City and tried to develop relationships with
American politicians. The complaint says she sought to establish “back channel” lines of communication, to “penetrate the U.S. national decision-making apparatus to advance the agenda of the Russian Federation." The complaint does not explicitly mention Trump’s campaign by name. However, Butina was a Trump supporter. Reuters reports that she bragged she could use her connections to help get people jobs in the Trump administration after the election.