Accused Russian Spy Maria Butina Told American CEO: Send Cash to Moscow
Source: The Daily Beast
Its more evidence that she had a broader agenda, she was doing other work for the Kremlin, one observer tells The Daily Beast.
Maria Butina, the accused Russian operative, didnt just allegedly cultivate the NRA on behalf of the Kremlin. The 29-year-old Russian national also braced one of Americas best-known businessmen, pushing him to increase his investments in his bank in Moscowa bank that was facing trouble with Kremlin authorities.
The encounter, detailed to The Daily Beast by multiple sources, paints a more detailed picture than previously known of the actions of the alleged foreign agent in the United States. It indicates that courting American politicos wasnt her only mission. She also took keen interest in contentious, complex matters involving international financeall while attempting to influence the primary financier of what would become Washingtons most Trump-friendly foreign policy think tank.
Butina, who is currently incarcerated, has pleaded not guilty to charges that she worked as a covert operative for the Kremlin, infiltrating the NRA and American conservative politics through a charm offensive that included, according to U.S. prosecutors, a series of sexual favors.
I would think its even more evidence that she had a broader agenda, she was doing other work for the Kremlin, said Evelyn Farkas, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and former Pentagon official focused on Russia. Its interesting that she was not only seeking to provide ways for the Russian government to put money into the U.S. political system in order to influence our electoral outcome but that she clearly also was interested in luring American money to Russia.
Read more: https://www.thedailybeast.com/accused-russian-spy-maria-butina-told-american-ceo-send-cash-to-moscow
sandensea
(21,639 posts)Anything to win.
Frustratedlady
(16,254 posts)scheme.
They won't have a prison big enough to lock all these people up.
Disappointed to see Huntsman's name included. I always thought he was pretty level.
2naSalit
(86,646 posts)last week in Helsinki I think, and he looked extremely uncomfortable.
Frustratedlady
(16,254 posts)nervous and concerned. Of course, he'd still be in Russia after the senators went back home, which would tend to make me nervous.
Unless I missed it, I never did hear what the senators were doing there in the first place.
2naSalit
(86,646 posts)lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)And their marching orders.
RandomAccess
(5,210 posts)of all sorts.
This Russian infiltration has been immense and wide-spread. Not all of it falls within Mueller's perview, probably, but there's so much that surely does that it's no wonder it's taking such a long time to wrap things up.
Justice
(7,188 posts)Fascinating. Feels like it fits into a bigger piece of the story. Butina making connections.
watoos
(7,142 posts)hire more prosecutors.
Seriously, people, just imagine what Mueller's report is going to look like. His team does not leak what it has found.
Ever watch a fireworks display, the grand finale? That's what Mueller's report will be like, explosion after explosion, only longer.
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)Nitram
(22,822 posts)I thought she worked for the Kremlin...
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)Maybe the idea was to buy their way out of trouble; Putin was directing them to try this?
Nitram
(22,822 posts)wishstar
(5,270 posts)Seems that Putin and his henchmen expect beneficiaries of their largesse and people who they allow to do business in Russia, to money launder and pay back part of their profits.