Donald Trump’s committee leader, Aspen among the trio accused of being agents of the United Arab Emirates

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Former President Donald Trumps 2017 preliminary committee chairman was arrested Tuesday on allegations that he and two others along with a man in Colorado conspired to influence Trump’s foreign policy positions to benefit the United Arab Emirates .

Thomas Joseph Barrack, 74, of Santa Monica, California, was among three men charged in New York federal court for trying to influence foreign policy while Trump was running in 2016 and later while he was president.

Matthew Herrington, an attorney for Barrack, did not immediately return an email seeking comment. Barrack is due to appear in a preliminary appearance in federal court in Southern California.

Barrack was charged with conspiracy, obstruction of justice and making multiple false statements in an interview on June 20, 2019 with federal law enforcement agents. Matthew Grimes, 27, of Aspen, Colorado and Rashid Sultan Rashid Al Malik Alshahhi, 43, of the United Arab Emirates, were also charged in seven-count charges in Brooklyn federal court.

Grime was also arrested Tuesday in California. A message for comment was sent to his lawyer. The whereabouts of Alshahhi werent immediately clear.

Defendants have repeatedly taken advantage of Barracks ’friendship and access to a candidate who was later elected President, senior campaign and government officials, and the American media to advance the policy goals of a foreign government without disclosing their true allegiance, Acting Assistant Attorney General Mark Lesko released.

This news first appeared in The Unaffiliated. Subscribe here to get the twice-weekly politics newsletter from The Colorado Sun.

Lesko described the alleged conduct as no infidelity to those officials in the United States, including the former President.

By this allegation, we place everyone regardless of their wealth or perceived political power notice that the Department of Justice will enforce the prohibition of this type of undisclosed foreign influence, the statement said.

According to the federal prosecutor, Grimes has been in regular and repeated contact with senior leadership of the UAE government and he, along with his codefendants, has allegedly taken numerous steps in the United States to advance the interests of the UAE. .

Authorities said Grimes works at a global investment management firm headquartered in Los Angeles and of which Barrack is the executive chairman.

The 46-page complaint included an exchange between Grimes and Rashid Sultan Rashid Al Malik Alshahhi in which they discussed the UAE’s preference that an unnamed U.S. congressman be appointed as U.S. ambassador to the country.

Prosecutors used emails and text messages between defendants to build their case, the indictment shows.

Colorado Sun staff writer Jesse Paul contributed to this report. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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