Trump Crony Found Not Guilty Of Illegally Lobbying

The Daily Beast reports:

In his closing arguments, federal prosecutor Ryan C. Harris recapped emails and text messages that detailed how Barrack made himself a mouthpiece for the UAE on national TV news programs, setup friendly meetings with the Trump White House, and even tweaked the GOP platform at the 2016 Republican National Convention.

Proposals had such ostentatious titles as, “Gaining Influence in the United States,” and “A Proposal to Strengthen UAE Influence in the USA.” In one text message, Barrack even touted how he was positioned to help the UAE capital, noting it would “give ABU DHABI more power.”

Years of UAE cheerleading brought $374 million into Colony Capital, the real estate investment company Barrack founded and led until his abrupt resignation last year.

And here’s the surprising verdict. Barrack was the chairman of Trump’s 2016 inauguration committee.

BIG NEWS— Trump ally Tom Barrack has just been found NOT GUILTY on illegal foreign lobbying charges

Jury had deliberated since Wednesday

Huge blow to federal prosecutors who had accused the billionaire businessman of improperly acting as a foreign agent on behalf of the UAE

— Olivia Rubin (@OliviaRubinABC) November 4, 2022

BREAKING: Trump inaugural committee chair Tom Barrack found NOT GUILTY on all counts in Brooklyn federal court

He was charged with acting as an unregistered agent on behalf of the UAE and lying to the FBI while under investigation @CourthouseNews

— nina pullano (@NinaPullano) November 4, 2022