Thread by @JohnWHuber

Why isn't CHRISTOPHER STEELE being investigated for violating the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA)?

THREAD

First, read this from @nytimes, likely largely based on Putin oligarch OLEG DERIPASKA & the FBI as sources

Key point: STEELE was acting a LOT like a lobbyist for DERIPASKA, without registering under FARA

(Same crime MUELLER is going after folks for now)

https://twitter.com/johnwhuber/status/1035979007433625601?s=21

—STEELE acted as an "intermediary" between Russian oligarchs (including at least OLEG DERIPASKA), and the United States

—STEELE was even "hired", i.e. directly PAID by DERIPASKA's lawyer (a guy called PAUL HAUSER, based in London)

N.B 1 The @nytimes drops the bombshell confirmation that STEELE was working for DERIPASKA's lawyer (Hauser) like its no big deal

Except @ChuckGrassley, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee couldn't get a straight answer to this!

See letter, Feb 2018: judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/…

N.B 2 Here's how close to Putin the US gov described billionaire DERIPAKSA in diplomatic cables from 2006: "among the 2-4 oligarchs Putin turns to on a regular basis" and "a more-or-less permanent fixture on Putin's trips abroad"

Due to DERIPASKA's alleged connections to organized crime in Russia, the United States revoked his visa in 2007

That's a big problem for DERIPASKA - he needs to travel to run his multiple business interests

The Obama admin let him back in by the way, to help the "Russian reset"

Back to the NYT

—STEELE contacted a senior @TheJusticeDept official, BRUCE OHR many times over a sustained two year period (2014-2016).

—DERIPASKA was "the subject", "many" times of these contacts

So STEELE is speaking for his ultimate employer DERIPASKA, to a US government official OHR, who is responsible for enforcement of organized crime (very relevant to DERIPASKA's interests)?

Sounds like lobbying to me

—STEELE's company - Orbis - was writing AND distributing "research" suggesting DERIPASKA wasn't really a "tool" of Putin

(While being paid by him) 🙄

—STEELE "sought to aid" an effort by the US government to "engage" Russian oligarchs, including DERIPASKA

Again, lobbying

—As STEELE was lobbying on DERIPASKA's behalf back in 2014, this wasn't a Trump thing

Lobbying meetings talking about DERIPASKA took place on American soil, in D.C.

As an FYI - when a law firm (Alston and Bird) was hired by DERIPASKA to help with "Department of State visa policies and procedures" in 2005, they got paid $260,000 in just one year: reuters.com/article/deripa…

So this isn't chump change. How much was STEELE getting paid?

—STEELE "helped set up a meeting" between DERIPASKA and "American officials" (inc. FBI). This also took place in the United States in Sep 2015

This was AFTER Putin annexed Crimea from Ukraine (March 2014) & the US had imposed many sanctions, **including on Putin's inner circle**

How did DERIPASKA get into the United States for the Sep 2015 meeting that STEELE helped to arrange?

The FBI pushed State to let DERIPASKA in on a Russian diplomatic visa (issued by Putin)

This was after STEELE had begun lobbying on his behalf in the same period 🤔

Here is the @TheJusticeDept guidance on FARA

—Attempting to influence US opinion, policy or laws

(Trying to change US gov policy towards DERIPASKA, or helping his image, or dropping sanctions clearly applies)

—Can be on behalf of a single non-US citizen

(DERIPASKA? Yep)

SUMMARY

— STEELE didn't register as a lobbyist for DERIPASKA under FARA

—STEELE clearly lobbied on DERIPASKA's behalf (he was even was hired/employed by him)

—STEELE distributed materials to & attended meetings with US officials who could directly help DERIPASKA's interests

Okay, so when are MUELLER or the DOJ going to be investigating STEELE for what look like prima facie FARA violations?

Nobody is going to just ignore undeclared paid lobbying for a Putin oligarch, right?

/ENDS