Trump inaugural chair declares outside Brooklyn courthouse, 'I'm 100% innocent'

NEW YORK (AP) — The chair of former President Donald Trump’s 2017 inaugural committee pleaded not guilty Monday and said he was “100% innocent” of charges that he secretly lobbied the U.S. on behalf of the United Arab Emirates.

Thomas Barrack (R), a close adviser to former President Donald Trump and chair of his inaugural committee, leaves after attending a hearing at the US District Court of Eastern District of New York on July 26, 2021 in New York City. - Thomas Barrack, a close ally to former US president Donald Trump and one of his top fundraisers, was arrested and charged on July 20, 2021 with not disclosing his lobbying on behalf of a foreign government. Barrack, a private equity investor and longtime Trump friend who chaired Trump's 2017 inaugural committee, had also been charged with obstruction of justice and making multiple false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation about his work for the UAE.
Thomas Barrack (R), a close adviser to former President Donald Trump and chair of his inaugural committee, leaves after attending a hearing at the US District Court of Eastern District of New York on July 26, 2021 in New York City. - Thomas Barrack, a close ally to former US president Donald Trump and one of his top fundraisers, was arrested and charged on July 20, 2021 with not disclosing his lobbying on behalf of a foreign government. Barrack, a private equity investor and longtime Trump friend who chaired Trump's 2017 inaugural committee, had also been charged with obstruction of justice and making multiple false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation about his work for the UAE. Photo credit KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images
Matt Herrington, attorney for Tom Barrack Jr., founder of Colony Capital Inc., center, speaks to members of the media while departing from criminal court in New York, U.S., on Monday, July 26, 2021. Barrack pleaded not guilty to charges that he illegally lobbied the U.S. government on behalf of the United Arab Emirates and lied to investigators about it.
Matt Herrington, attorney for Tom Barrack Jr., founder of Colony Capital Inc., center, speaks to members of the media while departing from criminal court in New York, U.S., on Monday, July 26, 2021. Barrack pleaded not guilty to charges that he illegally lobbied the U.S. government on behalf of the United Arab Emirates and lied to investigators about it. Photo credit Mark Kauzlarich/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Tom Barrack, 74, appeared in Brooklyn federal court for the first time, days after he was freed on $250 million bail following his arrest in California. His lawyer entered his plea for him.

“As you’d expect, the system is working. I think what you’ll find is that … over time, you’ll all see that I’m 100% innocent," Barrack said as he left the courthouse.

Tom Barrack Jr., founder of Colony Capital Inc., center, departs from criminal court in New York, U.S., on Monday, July 26, 2021. Barrack pleaded not guilty to charges that he illegally lobbied the U.S. government on behalf of the United Arab Emirates and lied to investigators about it.
Tom Barrack Jr., founder of Colony Capital Inc., center, departs from criminal court in New York, U.S., on Monday, July 26, 2021. Barrack pleaded not guilty to charges that he illegally lobbied the U.S. government on behalf of the United Arab Emirates and lied to investigators about it. Photo credit Mark Kauzlarich/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Matthew Grimes, managing director and chief investment officer of Falcon Peak Partners, arrives at criminal court in New York, U.S., on Monday, July 26, 2021. Colony Capital founder Tom Barrack Jr. and U.S. prosecutors have reached agreement on a bail package that will allow him to be freed ahead of a trial on charges that he illegally lobbied the government on behalf of the United Arab Emirates, according to people familiar with the case.
Matthew Grimes, managing director and chief investment officer of Falcon Peak Partners, arrives at criminal court in New York, U.S., on Monday, July 26, 2021. Colony Capital founder Tom Barrack Jr. and U.S. prosecutors have reached agreement on a bail package that will allow him to be freed ahead of a trial on charges that he illegally lobbied the government on behalf of the United Arab Emirates, according to people familiar with the case. Photo credit Mark Kauzlarich/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
Thomas Barrack, a close adviser to former President Donald Trump and chair of his inaugural committee, arrives for a court appearance at the U.S. District Court of Eastern District of New York on July 26, 2021 in Downtown Brooklyn in New York City. Barrack was charged last week along with Matthew Grimes and Rashid Sultan Rashid Al Malik Alshahhi for alleged work between April 2016 and April 2018 acting as agents of the United Arab Emirates. The indictment also claims that Barrack attempted to influence foreign policy positions for then presidential candidate Donald Trump and the incoming Trump administration. Photo credit Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Prosecutors say Barrack used his multi-decade friendship with Trump to influence the Republican's policy, starting when Trump was a candidate in 2016 and continuing after he was sworn in as president.

At the time, the UAE was in a tense diplomatic conflict with Qatar. Prosecutors said that, among other things, Barrack provided Emirati government officials with information about how senior U.S. officials viewed the dispute. A group of countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE and Bahrain, launched a blockade against Qatar in mid-2017.

Prosecutors said Barrack boasted to contacts in the Emirates that he could help them gain influence with the then-new administration, even as he was seeking a post as ambassador to the UAE or as special envoy to the Middle East.

Federal authorities say Barrack broke the law by failing to disclose his UAE ties to the U.S. government.

On Friday, a Los Angeles magistrate judge approved a $250 million bail deal negotiated between Barrack's lawyers and federal prosecutors. The arrangement required Barrack to give up passports and submit to electronic monitoring. It also imposed a curfew.

Barrack is charged with conspiracy, obstruction of justice and making false statements during a June 2019 interview with federal agents.

Matthew Grimes, 27, an Aspen, Colorado-based former executive at Barrack’s company, and Rashid al Malik, 43, an Emirati businessman who prosecutors said acted as a conduit to that nation’s rulers, were also charged in the seven-count indictment returned in Brooklyn federal court.

Grimes also appeared Monday in the same court, where his lawyer entered a not guilty plea for him.

There are changes in Barrack or Grimes' bond conditions, except that Barrack is now also allowed to travel to the state of Colorado where he will reside at his home in Aspen.

Their first appearance before U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan will be on September 2 at 10 a.m.

The government will begin turning over discovery to the defendants.

Grimes’ father was present in the courtroom in Brooklyn Monday.

Barrack’s ex-wife, son and Barrack’s friend were on videoconference as suretors for his $250 million bond.

Al Malik fled the U.S. three days after an April 2018 interview by law enforcement and remains at large, authorities said. He is believed to be living somewhere in the Middle East.

Barrack was an informal adviser to Trump’s 2016 campaign before becoming the inaugural committee chair.

The indictment against Barrack made no allegations of wrongdoing by the inaugural committee or by Trump.