AP Exclusive: Documents show that a wealthy Saudi tycoon sent hundreds of thousands of dollars to the U.S. to help pay for President Obama's second inauguration with the assistance of a middleman.
In this Dec. 12, 2016 photo, Los Angeles venture capitalist Imaad Zuberi, far left, arrives at Trump Tower in New York. Zuberi agreed this month to plead guilty to making illegal campaign contributions on behalf of foreign nationals and concealing his work as a foreign agent as he lobbied high-level U.S. government officials.
The prosecution by the U.S. attorney in Los Angeles is the latest in a string of cases that highlight the prevalence of banned foreign money in American politics and the often lax approach campaigns take in vetting contributions. Only Zuberi has been charged in the case, and prosecutors have not alleged that any campaign that received money from him was aware that at least some of his donations were financed by foreigners.
The case shares similarities with others recently filed against people accused of channeling banned foreign donations to U.S. candidates. The FEC earlier this year fined a super PAC that supported Jeb Bush’s failed 2016 Republican presidential bid for accepting $1.3 million in illegal donations from Chinese nationals.
For instance, prosecutors in court filings said “Person A” and his wife made four donations of $2,700 to “Campaign J” on Sept. 28, 2016, while one of Rahbani’s business associates donated $400 to the same campaign on that date. The criminal case against Zuberi doesn’t explain why Rahbani would have wanted to contribute to American political campaigns.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Exclusive: The Queen's confidante sets record straight on Michelle Obama 'breaking protocol' with her hugThe Queen's dresser and close confidante Angela Kelly has set the record straight about when Michelle Obama famously hugged the Queen
Read more »
Biden refutes Trump's claim that Trump has 'done more for African Americans than Obama'At the Second Step 2019 Presidential Justice Forum in South Carolina, former Vice President Joe Biden refuted claims President Trump made Friday about having done more for African Americans than the previous president.
Read more »
Eddie Murphy Talks Channeling Bruce Lee, Reveals the Strange Question Obama Asked HimEddie Murphy – star of DolemiteIsMyName – is opening up about his upcoming SNL hosting gig: 'SNL is such a big part of who I am, and you don't want to go back after thirty-five years and the show is like, 'ah, it was alright''
Read more »
Photo of Trump watching al-Baghdadi raid compared to Obama watching bin Laden operationDonald Trump described watching the raid against ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi&39;s death "as though you were watching a movie."
Read more »
Photos highlight stark differences in Trump and Obama approachesThe execution and aftermath of the raids that took down Osama bin Laden and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi were as different as the presidents overseeing them. How each leader handled the moment says as much about their mindset as it does their foreign policy.
Read more »