Firtash II
Mogilevich
Raiffeisen Banking Group
Trump Tower Toronto
RosUkrEnergo
Gazprom
TeamTrump
Control Eurasian gas distribution
Gas pipelines to Europe
MAIN THREAD
Mogilevich
Raiffeisen Banking Group
Trump Tower Toronto
RosUkrEnergo
Gazprom
TeamTrump
Control Eurasian gas distribution
Gas pipelines to Europe
MAIN THREAD
In 2008, while Manafort was working in Ukraine for Yanukovych, Firtash’s company Group DF agreed to commit $112M to Manafort’s vision for “Bulgari Tower,” a $1.5 billion skyscraper project in midtown Manhattan on the corner of Park Avenue & 56th Street.
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
🔑The tower deal later collapsed, but not before Firtash wired in a $25M deposit from Raiffeisen Zentralbank Österreich AG, an Austrian bank that U.S. officials believed served as a Mogilevich front.
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
💰💦Raiffeisen Banking Group
Andrey Kozlov, a deputy chair of the RU central bank, was gunned down in 2006 after he blew the whistle on large amounts of rubles that were being laundered through Raiffeisen, which also provided a $310M construction loan to finance Trump Tower Toronto.
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
💰💦Trump Tower Toronto
In a federal lawsuit filed in New York, Yulia Tymoshenko, a former prime minister of Ukraine, claimed that Firtash was laundering proceeds from sales of natural gas through Manhattan real estate.
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
🔑Firtash, a former tomato grower and truck driver, rose from obscurity to become one of Ukraine’s richest men through his deal with Gazprom, the natural gas giant controlled by the Kremlin.
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
🔑In 2006, ‘Gazprom’ (Mogilevich) gave Firtash a monopoly on all gas trades between Russia and Ukraine.
🔑The vehicle for this was yet another a murky company, RosUkrEnergo, half-owned by Gazprom and half-owned by Firtash and ‘a minority partner.’
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
🔑The vehicle for this was yet another a murky company, RosUkrEnergo, half-owned by Gazprom and half-owned by Firtash and ‘a minority partner.’
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
🔑In a short time, RosUkrEnergo earned billions — some of which, U.S. government officials suspect, ended up in Mogilevich’s pockets.
🔑Notably, Firtash’s stake in the Swiss-registered RosUkrEnergo remained a secret for two years,
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
🔑Notably, Firtash’s stake in the Swiss-registered RosUkrEnergo remained a secret for two years,
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
💰Firtash - RosUkrEnergo
Background
Background
🔑Hidden by the same Austrian bank that was used to wire in money for Manafort’s Manhattan tower venture.
🔑Prosecutors in Chicago have moved to seize RosUkrEnergo, along with Firtash’s other corporate holdings.
👉🏼If seized, need control of alternate.
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
🔑Prosecutors in Chicago have moved to seize RosUkrEnergo, along with Firtash’s other corporate holdings.
👉🏼If seized, need control of alternate.
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
Firtash himself didn’t deny that he knew Mogilevich during a 2010 meeting with the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, William Taylor.
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
Yes the very same Amb Taylor.
One stunning moment during Wm Taylor’s testimony that may prove pivotal to the congressional impeachment inquiry and even led to gasps in the room.
He described a meeting that connected Trump to the withholding of U.S. aid
nbcnews.com/politics/donal…
One stunning moment during Wm Taylor’s testimony that may prove pivotal to the congressional impeachment inquiry and even led to gasps in the room.
He described a meeting that connected Trump to the withholding of U.S. aid
nbcnews.com/politics/donal…
“Firtash acknowledged that he needed, and received, permission from Mogilevich when he established various businesses, but he denied any close relationship to him,” Taylor wrote in a cable released by Wikileaks.
archive.is/HDZUT
archive.is/HDZUT
🔑Firtash claimed that Tymoshenko
was working with Russia to eliminate RUE, and cited examples meant to prove that she was making political concessions to Russia to gain its support to do so.
archive.is/HDZUT
was working with Russia to eliminate RUE, and cited examples meant to prove that she was making political concessions to Russia to gain its support to do so.
archive.is/HDZUT
Firtash acknowledged ties to RU/UKR organized crime figure Seymon Mogilevich, stating he needed Mogilevich's approval to
get into business in the first place.
He was adamant that he had not
committed a single crime when building his business empire.
archive.is/HDZUT
get into business in the first place.
He was adamant that he had not
committed a single crime when building his business empire.
archive.is/HDZUT
🔑Firtash argued that outsiders still failed to understand the period of
lawlessness that reigned in Ukraine after the collapse of the Soviet
Union.
archive.is/HDZUT
lawlessness that reigned in Ukraine after the collapse of the Soviet
Union.
archive.is/HDZUT
Firtash said he cared truly about Ukraine, and saw Russian
business interests overtaking the economy as the biggest threat to
the country's security.
archive.is/HDZUT
business interests overtaking the economy as the biggest threat to
the country's security.
archive.is/HDZUT
Amb William Taylor’s (2008) Comment:
“Firtash's arguments and allegations are clearly self-interested; he sees Tymoshenko as a clear threat to his business.
End summary and comment.”
archive.is/HDZUT
“Firtash's arguments and allegations are clearly self-interested; he sees Tymoshenko as a clear threat to his business.
End summary and comment.”
archive.is/HDZUT
Taylor’s cable, released by WikiLeaks, followed statements by the then prime minister of Ukraine, Yulia Tymoshenko, to the BBC that she had "documented proof that some powerful criminal structures are behind the RosUkrEnergo (RUE) company".
theguardian.com/world/2010/dec…
theguardian.com/world/2010/dec…
🔑Two of Firtash’s companies involved in the natural gas business had links — albeit indirect — to Mogilevich. (Mogilevich’s wife was a major shareholder in one company, while the other listed her as a director.)
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
🔑Firtash and Mogilevich also have shared the same Israeli lawyer, Zeev Gordon, to represent their business and personal interests.
🔑Zeev Gordon, who was involved in Firtash’s company Eural Trans Gas in another venture with Naftohaz and Gazprom.
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
🔑Zeev Gordon, who was involved in Firtash’s company Eural Trans Gas in another venture with Naftohaz and Gazprom.
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
Who did Russian gas sales benefit?
In 2009 there was a bit of a tiff between Russia & Ukraine over gas supplies.
🔑Gas supplies to more than a dozen European countries, had been shut off.
However a deal was struck, but Putin cut out Rosukrenergo.
mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-wo…
In 2009 there was a bit of a tiff between Russia & Ukraine over gas supplies.
🔑Gas supplies to more than a dozen European countries, had been shut off.
However a deal was struck, but Putin cut out Rosukrenergo.
mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-wo…
📌Note: Putin's partner in the deal, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, stood to benefit politically by nipping a rumored cash source for Yushchenko and another leading Ukrainian politician.
mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-wo…
mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-wo…
This is a tangled, post-Soviet story of riches, power, & political influence.
And should serve illustrate how various commodities, especially energy products & distribution are weaponized, & welded as a tool of leverage, control & personal interests.
mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-wo…
And should serve illustrate how various commodities, especially energy products & distribution are weaponized, & welded as a tool of leverage, control & personal interests.
mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-wo…
🔑This is a huge problem especially for Europe, where some 25 percent (or more) of natural gas comes from Russia.
👉🏼Pay whatever we are asking or we will shut down supply.
mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-wo…
👉🏼Pay whatever we are asking or we will shut down supply.
mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-wo…
When this deal was announced Jan. 19, 2009 Putin, with Tymoshenko said that Rosukrenergo was out of the picture. "All the intermediaries are to be extracted from the payment structure," he said.
Intermediaries earn a cut - switch out your guys/insert ours
mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-wo…
Intermediaries earn a cut - switch out your guys/insert ours
mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-wo…
“I think what matters most for the UKR gov’t is not the gas price," Putin said.
ORLY?
What he says next is extremely important.
mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-wo…
ORLY?
What he says next is extremely important.
mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-wo…
Putin: “But rather the opportunity to retain certain intermediaries to use the dividends for private purposes, to accumulate personal wealth & obtain financial resources for further political campaigns."
Sounds like TeamTrump’s moves on Naftogaz’s board
mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-wo…
Sounds like TeamTrump’s moves on Naftogaz’s board
mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-wo…
Now let’s review TeamTrump’s Naftogaz shenanigans through the above lens.
“Profit, not politics: Trump allies sought Ukraine gas deal”
apnews.com/d7440cffba4940…
“Profit, not politics: Trump allies sought Ukraine gas deal”
apnews.com/d7440cffba4940…
💰Rick Perry & the Sale & Transportation of US LNG (liquid natural gas) to Ukraine 🔼🔽
🔑Rosukrenergo sold more than $21 billion worth of gas from July 2004 through December 2007, and made a net income of some $2.3 billion in that period, according to audits posted on its Web site, which didn't include results from 2008.
mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-wo…
mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-wo…
"There is a lot of corruption in Ukraine, but the magnitude of the cash flows surrounding and associated with Rosukrenergo . . . make it plausible that this could be the largest source of corruption," said a Western diplomat (Wm Taylor?) in Kiev.
mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-wo…
mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-wo…
In Ukraine, several officials have alleged that the company or those connected with it were paying off two sides in national politics: that of Yushchenko and the rival he'd ousted, Yanukovych, who's close to Russia.
It is common to back both sides.
mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-wo…
It is common to back both sides.
mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-wo…
Mogilevich’s atty Zeev Gordon once helped Firtash establish a gas-trading company by registering the company's shares in a Hungarian trust.
However, Gordon said even though he rep’d both Firtash & Mogilevich he denied their relationship with each other.
mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-wo…
However, Gordon said even though he rep’d both Firtash & Mogilevich he denied their relationship with each other.
mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-wo…
‼️Background. Understanding the #BudapestBridge
Trump, Putin and the mob.
Research collection.
Part 2: #BudapestBridge and the Hungarian connection to Trump
By @JamesFourM
medium.com/@JamesFourM/tr…
Trump, Putin and the mob.
Research collection.
Part 2: #BudapestBridge and the Hungarian connection to Trump
By @JamesFourM
medium.com/@JamesFourM/tr…
🔑Firtash’s associations with Mogilevich are what may have led to his indictment in Chicago as the leader of an international titanium-mining racket.
🔑Now add in the latest Giuliani, Toensing & diGenova gang’s efforts to fight the case against Firtash
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
🔑Now add in the latest Giuliani, Toensing & diGenova gang’s efforts to fight the case against Firtash
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
Background:
The Most Dangerous Mobster in the World
In 1998 the Voice reported on the enigmatic leader of the Red Mafia — a shadowy Ukrainian-born Jew known as the ''Brainy Don'' aka Semion Mogilevich
📌Note: Mogilevich is Ukrainian
villagevoice.com/1998/05/26/the…
The Most Dangerous Mobster in the World
In 1998 the Voice reported on the enigmatic leader of the Red Mafia — a shadowy Ukrainian-born Jew known as the ''Brainy Don'' aka Semion Mogilevich
📌Note: Mogilevich is Ukrainian
villagevoice.com/1998/05/26/the…
🔑Under Mueller, the FBI devoted tremendous resources to capturing Mogilevich, or at least, limiting his sphere of influence.
🔑Mogilevich/Firtash are also why Mueller, McCabe, Stroyk, Page & Bruce Ohr are frequent targets of TeamTrump
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
🔑Mogilevich/Firtash are also why Mueller, McCabe, Stroyk, Page & Bruce Ohr are frequent targets of TeamTrump
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
Trump’s Top Targets in the RU Probe Are Experts in Organized Crime
Some of Trump’s favorite targets in the RU probe have spent their careers in the DOJ & the FBI inv’g org’d crime & money laundering, particularly as they pertain to Russia (and Ukraine)
theatlantic.com/politics/archi…
Some of Trump’s favorite targets in the RU probe have spent their careers in the DOJ & the FBI inv’g org’d crime & money laundering, particularly as they pertain to Russia (and Ukraine)
theatlantic.com/politics/archi…
Finally, the F.B.I. agent spoke. No deal, he said, Mr. Mogilevich must surrender. Mr. BRUCE OHR said little, but his unwillingness to negotiate was signal enough:
The Justice Department would not compromise with the Russian mafia.
nytimes.com/2018/08/27/us/…
The Justice Department would not compromise with the Russian mafia.
nytimes.com/2018/08/27/us/…
Mogilevich & Firtsh (2010)
Fun fact:
The FBI permanently stationed agents in Budapest in 2005, which had been Mogilevich’s base of operations, and sent him scurrying off to Moscow.
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
The FBI permanently stationed agents in Budapest in 2005, which had been Mogilevich’s base of operations, and sent him scurrying off to Moscow.
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
The FBI also targeted Mogilevich with a “threat fusion cell” staffed with FBI agents and officials from the National Security Agency.
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
rollingstone.com/politics/polit…
‼️House intel Active Investigation:
House Intelligence Asks Why Russia-linked Austrian Bank (Raiffeisen Bank) Funded Trump Tower Project and Never Sought Repayment
newsweek.com/house-intellig…
House Intelligence Asks Why Russia-linked Austrian Bank (Raiffeisen Bank) Funded Trump Tower Project and Never Sought Repayment
newsweek.com/house-intellig…
Bill Browder & Magnitsky:
Hermitage places Raiffeisen Bank at the center of its allegations, naming it as the recipient of more than $600 million from Ukio Bankas accounts.
newsweek.com/house-intellig…
Hermitage places Raiffeisen Bank at the center of its allegations, naming it as the recipient of more than $600 million from Ukio Bankas accounts.
newsweek.com/house-intellig…
These Are the Banks Caught Up in the Russia Money-Laundering Scandal
Danske Bank
Swedbank
Nordea Bank
ING Groep NV
Credit Agricole
Deutsche Bank
KBC Group Ukio Bankas
Raiffeisen Bank
ABN Amro Group
Cooperatieve Rabobank
Turkiye Garanti Bankasi
bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
Danske Bank
Swedbank
Nordea Bank
ING Groep NV
Credit Agricole
Deutsche Bank
KBC Group Ukio Bankas
Raiffeisen Bank
ABN Amro Group
Cooperatieve Rabobank
Turkiye Garanti Bankasi
bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
🔑Money entering Austrian banks included $230 million allegedly stolen from the Russian treasury, according to Hermitage (Bill Browder).
occrp.org/en/daily/9316-…
occrp.org/en/daily/9316-…
🔑The case, one of the biggest tax frauds in recent years, was exposed by Hermitage lawyer Sergei Magnitsky who subsequently died from ill treatment in prison.
🔑Funny how everything always circles back to Sergei Magnitsky/MagnitskyAct/Sanctions
occrp.org/en/daily/9316-…
🔑Funny how everything always circles back to Sergei Magnitsky/MagnitskyAct/Sanctions
occrp.org/en/daily/9316-…
The Troika Laundromat enabled the flow of US$ 4.6 billion into the system and directed the flow of $4.8 billion out.
Among the counterparties on these transactions were major Western banks such as Citigroup Inc., Raiffeisen, and Deutsche Bank.
occrp.org/en/troikalaund…
Among the counterparties on these transactions were major Western banks such as Citigroup Inc., Raiffeisen, and Deutsche Bank.
occrp.org/en/troikalaund…
Deutsche Bank ♥️ Trump
The dozens of companies in the system also generated $8.8 billion of internal transactions to obscure the origin of the cash.
occrp.org/en/troikalaund…
occrp.org/en/troikalaund…
Prosecutors flagged possible ties between Firtash (👉🏼Mogilevich) and Giuliani associates
washingtonpost.com/politics/prose…
washingtonpost.com/politics/prose…
I will close with Putin’s comment & going forward I ask the reader to view Trump’s actions, agenda & objectives through the same lens. It lays bare his need for his ‘shadow foreign policy bagmen’ to negotiate deals for he & his cronies to profit personally w/ every transaction.
“I think what matters most for the UKR gov’t is not the gas price," Putin said, "but rather the opportunity to retain certain intermediaries to use the dividends for private purposes, to accumulate personal wealth & obtain financial resources for further political campaigns."
Energy is a weapon. For both Trump/UKR/Russia, the prize for wielding this weapon is political and economic leverage over Europe.”
🔑Are TeamTrump complicit in the facilitation of Russia’s stealth gas conquest of Europe?
Is this another quid pro quo?
medium.com/insurge-intell…
🔑Are TeamTrump complicit in the facilitation of Russia’s stealth gas conquest of Europe?
Is this another quid pro quo?
medium.com/insurge-intell…
Steel Dossier
@threadreaderapp unroll please and thank you.
#Firtash
@threadreaderapp unroll please and thank you.
#Firtash
