Diplomat tells investigators he raised alarms in 2015 about Hunter Biden's Ukraine work
Source: Washington Post
A career State Department official overseeing Ukraine policy told congressional investigators this week that he had raised concerns in early 2015 about then-Vice President Joe Bidens son serving on the board of a Ukrainian energy company but was turned away by a Biden staffer, according to three people familiar with the testimony.
George Kent, a deputy assistant secretary of state, testified Tuesday that he worried that Hunter Bidens position at the firm Burisma Holdings would complicate efforts by U.S. diplomats to convey to Ukrainian officials the importance of avoiding conflicts of interest, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of confidentiality rules surrounding the deposition.
Kent said he had concerns that Ukrainian officials would view Hunter Biden as a conduit for currying influence with his father, said the people. But when Kent raised the issue with Bidens office, he was told the then-vice president didnt have the bandwidth to deal with the issue involving his son as his other son, Beau, was battling cancer, said the people familiar with his testimony.
The testimony by Kent offers a reminder that as Democrats probe President Trumps alleged actions in pressuring Ukraine to dig up compromising information on Biden, the impeachment inquiry also threatens to keep alive questions about the former vice presidents handling of his sons foreign work at a precarious moment for his 2020 presidential campaign.
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/diplomat-tells-investigators-he-raised-alarms-in-2015-about-hunter-bidens-ukraine-work-but-was-rebuffed/2019/10/18/81e35be9-4f5a-4048-8520-0baabb18ab63_story.html
Last three words in headline: "but was rebuked" (rebuked didn't fit)
dem4decades
(11,321 posts)emulatorloo
(44,268 posts)No.
Im referring to this paragraph in the article:
The testimony by Kent offers a reminder that as Democrats probe President Trumps alleged actions in pressuring Ukraine to dig up compromising information on Biden, the impeachment inquiry also threatens to keep alive questions about the former vice presidents handling of his sons foreign work at a precarious moment for his 2020 presidential campaign.
All major reputable outlets have cleared Biden of wrong-doing. Zero evidence. There arent any questions to keep alive as it has been proven to be bullshit.
I expect dem4decades is correct that this was leaked by a Republican, including the spin included in the paragraph above. Muddying the waters.
Thanks for posting.
Beartracks
(12,835 posts)Increasing the appearance of a potential conflict of interest, or increasing the risk you may be targeted as a conduit for currying influence with a powerful relative, are not inappropriate, are definitely not criminal, and are not evidence of corruption.
COULD someone have thought Hunter could be used to influence his father? Obviously, since that was Kent's concern at the time. Was there ever any evidence, then or now, that something inappropriate or nefarious happened? Nope.
========
groundloop
(11,532 posts)It's quite another when offspring of the current White House resident take part in criminal enterprises to enrich themselves.
From all I've read it seems that possibly, maybe Hunter Biden got that job because of his last name yet didn't do anything wrong. Compared to the tRump offspring he's squeaky clean.
riversedge
(70,441 posts)just does better than we do. They are huge and diverse and have few with people with morals!.
rpannier
(24,350 posts)People that express concern about 'perception', are seldom concerned about actual illegal or unethical behavior
My take from reading it, also appears that he was concerned about the Ukraine and how some there might try to profit or gain influence
Doesn't seem to be anything illegal about Biden's behavior.
I've worked in areas where the question is often addressed, "How will this appear to people on the outside looking in?"
Nothing here really
yardwork
(61,772 posts)It's almost laughable except there's nothing to laugh about.
Trump's children run dozens of businesses making billions of dollars in deals with foreign governments all over the world. It's obvious that Trump is making foreign policy decisions based on personal gain.
Hugin
(33,222 posts)Biden, Hunter, Ukraine, or potential conflict of interest.
Get back to the real grifters...
Maxheader
(4,374 posts)Meh...been going on like forever..Part of doing business..Board of directors at boeing..back in the 90s,
ex sec defense...ex ceo auto corps..Know nothing about aircraft but can "curry favor" with the people
that buy commerical aircraft..
highplainsdem
(49,121 posts)Link to tweet