Donald Trump adviser Thomas Barrack pleads not guilty to UAE lobbying case ahead of Texas vote

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A billionaire fundraiser who worked as an adviser to Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to illegally lobbying the former president on behalf of the UAE and lied to officials in an attempt to cover it up.

Thomas Barrack, a divorced father-of-six who founded private equity firm Colony Capital is likely to face trial in New York, where the Trump administration’s internal work will be accompanied by lawyers.

The 74-year-old, who was one of Mr. Trumps ’top fundraisers, was accused of secretly working to advance UAE interests during the 2016 presidential campaign and throughout Trump’s presidency.

Mr. Barrack, who was arrested in Los Angeles last Tuesday along with a 27-year-old business partner, Matthew Grimes, allegedly used his position as an outside adviser in Mr. Trumps ’campaign to promote publicize the Emirates agenda while asking for direction, feedback and talking points from senior Emirati officials.

It comes ahead of a test for Mr. Trump’s grip on the Republican party as voters in Texas headed to the polls Tuesday in a special election election for a congressional seat.

Former Make America Great presidents on the political action committee paid for a last -minute $ 100,000 blitz of advertising for Susan Wright, the widow of congressman Ron Wright, who died in February after battling the coronavirus and cancer.

Ms. Wright is running for her late marriage seat against fellow Republican Jake Ellzey, a fighter pilot and state representative with support from former Governor Rick Perry and a handful of other prominent Texans.

The North Texas District 6 seat, just south of Dallas and Fort Worth will be one of the major tests of Mr. Trump’s influence on Republican voters and the party as a whole ahead of next midterm elections. years.

Ms. Wright leads the polls, but turnout is expected to be low and Democratic voters, without a candidate on the ballot, could sway for Mr. Ellzey as a protest against Trump.

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