The former Chair of President Donald Trump’s inaugural committee was one of three people accused Tuesday of being agents for the United Arab Emirates.
Thomas Barrack was charged in a New York federal court with trying to influence foreign policy while Trump was running in 2016 and later while he was president, to benefit the UAE. Barrack’s charges include conspiracy, obstruction of justice and making multiple false statements during a 2019 interview with federal law enforcement agents.
Prosecutors said Barrack not only agreed to promote UAE foreign policy interests through his unique access and influence but provide UAE government officials with sensitive information about developments within the Trump administration. This included how senior U.S. officials felt about the Qatari blockade conducted by the UAE and other Middle Eastern countries.
“Worse, in his communications with Al Malik, the defendant framed his efforts to obtain an official position within the Administration as one that would enable him to further advance the interests of the UAE, rather than the interests of the United States,” prosecutors wrote.
In a release, Acting Assistant Attorney General Mark Lesko characterized the alleged conduct as “nothing short of a betrayal of those officials in the United States, including the former President.”
Barrack’s initial appearance in federal court will take place in Southern California. According to a spokesperson, Barrack will plead not guilty. “Mr. Barrack has made himself voluntarily available to investigators from the outset,” the spokesperson said.
The other two people charged Tuesday are Matthew Grimes and Rashid Sultan Rashid Al Malik Alshahhi. Grimes was also arrested in California. The whereabouts of Alshahhi weren’t immediately clear.
“The defendants repeatedly capitalized on Barrack’s friendships and access to a candidate who was eventually elected President, high-ranking campaign and government officials, and the American media to advance the policy goals of a foreign government without disclosing their true allegiances,” Lesko said in the release.
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