Prosecutors say ex-Trump fundraiser ‘manipulated’ public on behalf of UAE

On Wednesday, a federal prosecutor charged Thomas Barack with, Donald Trump’s one-off fundraiserusing his “unique engagement” with the former president to illegally act as a foreign agent on behalf of the United Arab Emirates in a trial that may illuminate Some of the ways in which foreign governments allegedly tried to curry favor with previous governments.

Barack, a California billionaire and longtime Trump associate, has pleaded not guilty to the charges He was a foreign agent in the UAE from 2016 to 2018 And failed to register with the Justice Department, which prosecutors say constitutes a crime.

The government also accused Barack of lying to the FBI in a 2019 interview about his interactions with the UAE.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Hiral Mehta delivered the administration’s opening statement on Wednesday, telling jurors that Barack “attempted to influence the political system and manipulate the American public” in “corrupt pursuit of money and power.”

“When Donald Trump ran for president, the defendants saw an opportunity,” Mehta said, accusing Barack and co-defendant Matthew Grimes (who also pleaded not guilty) of trying to use them “with Donald Trump” unique touch to gain power and give yourself money.”

During the month-long trial in New York, jurors are expected to see evidence in the form of text messages, business transactions and travel records, Mehta said, proving that Barak “served as the eyes, ears and voice of the court. The UAE” in Special Trump campaign and administration.

Mehta claimed that Barak kept his Emirati interlocutors informed of the Trump campaign and White House deliberations, including “very sensitive and very classified information” about Republican platforms and appointments to key political positions within the administration.

In his opening remarks for Barack’s defense team, Michael Schacht promised evidence that would undermine the government’s case and make it “impossible” to conclude that Barack committed the alleged crimes, adding that Barack Rucker “will never do anything against American interests.”

“[The government’s] The accusations are simply ridiculous. Tom Barack was never directed by anyone.Tom Barack was never controlled by anyone,” he said. “Tom Barack was his own man. [and] Because of what he wanted to say. “

Schacht also tried to distance Barack from Trump politically, although he admitted the two had known each other for 30 years. Schacht said Barack privately disagreed with many of the Trump administration’s policies, including on the southern border wall, and claimed that Barack voted twice for President Obama.

“Tom didn’t work for Donald Trump and certainly didn’t control him,” Schacht said. “This case has nothing to do with Donald Trump. It has nothing to do with how you or I feel about Donald Trump.”

Prosecutors and defense attorneys selected 12 jurors and four alternate jurors on Monday and Tuesday, who were sworn in late Wednesday morning and took their seats before opening statements.

During the jury selection process, U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan questions prospective jurors on a range of issues related to the case, including whether there are any political beliefs that might affect their fair assessment of the evidence presented to them Ability. Kogan suggested that former Trump administration officials or the former president himself might appear as witnesses.

One who was eventually selected as a juror told the judge that she followed the 2016 presidential election closely and had strong feelings for Trump, but assured the court she could set those feelings aside in the spirit of fairness.

“I didn’t mean to disrespect the former president in any way,” Cogan replied. “But if we exclude anyone who has strong feelings for the former president, we may not be able to form a jury.”