Maria Butina, indicted Russia spy linked to Trump and NRA

[essentialsaltes]

Maria Butina, 29, also was also engaged in “personal relationship” with an American Republican consultant only for business purposes

Her boyfriend, GOP politico Paul Erickson, may also face charges.

The Daily Beast reviewed a “target letter” that federal investigators sent Erickson’s lawyer, which said they are considering bringing charges against him under​

Section 951

of the U.S. code—the law barring people from secretly acting as agents of foreign governments.​

...
And as Butina built relationships with conservative leaders, Erickson didn’t exactly keep his role under wraps. According to court documents filed by the prosecutors charging Butina, someone called “Person 1” and widely believed to be Erickson boasted that he was involved in “securing a VERY private line of communication between the Kremlin” and the Republican Party.
…
If investigators charge Erickson under Section 951, he could be the first American publicly accused of acting (or trying to act) as an agent of a foreign government in connection with Russia’s 2016 interference. Other Americans … have faced charges for illegal lobbying, in violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act. But 951 is different. … “[A] Section 951 case generally involves espionage-like or clandestine behavior or an otherwise provable connection to an intelligence service, or information-gathering or procurement-type activity on behalf of a foreign government,” the inspector general wrote.

 

[USincognito]

Were are all the "muh Russia" folks now?

 

[Aryeh Jay]

Were are all the "muh Russia" folks now?

Renewing their membership in the National Russian Association, you can get a 12 month subscription to a magazine, “The American Russian-man” if you renew before Christmas.

 

[camille70]

This woman got around.

 

[cow451]

Renewing their membership in the National Russian Association, you can get a 12 month subscription to a magazine, “The American Russian-man” if you renew before Christmas.

Thank you, Comrade, for the reminder. Do we still get autograph photography of Presidential Putin?

 

[Aryeh Jay]

Thank you, Comrade, for the reminder. Do we still get autograph photography of Presidential Putin?

For twelve months you get standard Putin pic with autograph only. For thirty six month renewal you get topless Putin doing Judo to a Russian bear in the snow and heartfelt message from Leader of Greater Russian Empire.

Spa-see-ba for your support Comrade.

 

[camille70]

Her boyfriend, GOP politico Paul Erickson, may also face charges.

The Daily Beast reviewed a “target letter” that federal investigators sent Erickson’s lawyer, which said they are considering bringing charges against him under ​

Section 951

of the U.S. code—the law barring people from secretly acting as agents of foreign governments. ​

...
And as Butina built relationships with conservative leaders, Erickson didn’t exactly keep his role under wraps. According to court documents filed by the prosecutors charging Butina, someone called “Person 1” and widely believed to be Erickson boasted that he was involved in “securing a VERY private line of communication between the Kremlin” and the Republican Party.
…
If investigators charge Erickson under Section 951, he could be the first American publicly accused of acting (or trying to act) as an agent of a foreign government in connection with Russia’s 2016 interference. Other Americans … have faced charges for illegal lobbying, in violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act. But 951 is different. … “[A] Section 951 case generally involves espionage-like or clandestine behavior or an otherwise provable connection to an intelligence service, or information-gathering or procurement-type activity on behalf of a foreign government,” the inspector general wrote.

Butina's Boyfriend Admits to Setting up Trump-Russia Backchannel via the NRA



Maria Butina’s boyfriend was responsible for setting up the Trump-Russia backchannel, using the NRA as a “conduit.”

Paul Erickson, a longtime Republican operative, made the claim during a private communication released in Butina’s plea deal. In the email, Erickson wrote in December 2016 that he helped to set up a “very private line of communication” between Russia and the Trump campaign. And he used the NRA to do it.

 

[Veritas]

I have an NRA membership and actually met the head of the NRA a number of years ago.

Must mean I have access to upper levels of the NRA huh?

I actually met George Bush. Was in a crowd and actually shook his hand.

Why not just admit it? You're a Russian operative and you colluded with Trump to sway the 2016 election.

 

[Veritas]

Oh and this is precious, it appears Sheriff Clarke may also be tied up in the whole thing. He accepted the Russians paying his expenses to go out to speak at a Russian pro-gun convention with the people mentioned above.

Did he break any laws?

 

[essentialsaltes]

Maria Butina pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday for conspiracy to act as an illegal foreign agent in the United States.

Butina, 30, was accused of working to infiltrate Republican political circles through groups such as the National Rifle Association to bolster Russian interests.

"Butina sought to establish unofficial lines of communication with Americans having power and influence over US politics," the prosecutor said in a Washington courtroom.

Her guilty plea and agreement to cooperate comes with the hope that prosecutors will ask for a reduced sentence. She agreed to turn over any evidence of crimes she is aware of, submit a full accounting of her financial assets, sit for interviews with law enforcement (and waive right to counsel during those interviews) and testify before grand juries or in trials in Washington or elsewhere.

 

[iluvatar5150]

Where's Dana Loesch and her clenched fist of truth to fight for us and save our country?

Also, I don't see any mention of this on Breitbart's facebook page yet. This piece has been up for a couple hours now and no comments so far:
Accused Russian agent pleads guilty in US - Breitbart

 

[Aryeh Jay]

Where's Dana Loesch and her clenched fist of truth to fight for us and save our country?

Probably creating a PSA advocating that NRA members rise up against those opposed to The Leader.

 

[iluvatar5150]

Probably creating a PSA advocating that NRA members rise up against those opposed to The Leader.

Does the NRA have any money left to pay her?

 

[Fantine]

Another domino falls.

And, as an aside, the NRA Foundation should lose tax-exempt status.

 

[LoAmmi]

Were are all the "muh Russia" folks now?

I had noticed they've gone silent recently. Haven't heard "nothingburger" for a spell either.

 

[essentialsaltes]

Her boyfriend, GOP politico Paul Erickson, may also face charges.

Last Day Pardon!

Trump also offered clemency to Paul Erickson, the conservative political operative and ex-boyfiend of alleged Russian spy Maria Butina, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges;

 

[essentialsaltes]

A minor detail from another story, but an interesting update...

Upon her return to Russia, Butina was hired by Russia Today, now known as RT; she recently joined Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma.

'Well done, you good and faithful servant!' said her master.