New spy chief worked for foreign politician accused of corruption

[struggle4progress]

by Isaac Arnsdorf Feb. 21, 4:34 p.m. EST

President Donald Trump’s new acting intelligence director, Richard Grenell, used to do consulting work on behalf of an Eastern European oligarch who is now a fugitive and was recently barred from entering the U.S. under anti-corruption sanctions imposed last month by the State Department.

In 2016, Grenell wrote several articles defending the oligarch, a Moldovan politician named Vladimir Plahotniuc, but did not disclose that he was being paid, according to records and interviews. Grenell also did not register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which generally requires people to disclose work in the U.S. on behalf of foreign politicians.

FARA is the same law that Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort and former deputy campaign manager Rick Gates were convicted of violating. (Manafort went to trial. Gates pleaded guilty.) ...

https://www.propublica.org/article/trumps-new-spy-chief-used-to-work-for-a-foreign-politician-the-us-accused-of-corruption

[dlk]

1. Given the depth and breadth of the Trump swamp, is this really so surprising?

Who else would agree to work for him?

[malaise]

2. Only shady characters need apply for work in this

kakistocracy

[Brother Buzz]

3. Silly me for not comprehending being bent was a prerequisite for hiring only the best people