The former chair of President Donald Trump’s inaugural committee was arrested Tuesday in Los Angeles on federal charges of unlawfully lobbying on behalf of the United Arab Emirates during and after the 2016 presidential campaign.
Thomas Barrack, 74, of Santa Monica is “accused of acting and conspiring to act as agents of the UAE between April 2016 and April 2018,” according to the indictment. Barrack is also charged with obstruction of justice and making multiple false statements during a 2019 interview with federal law enforcement agents.
The indictment also charges Matthew Grimes, 27, of Aspen, Colorado and UAE national Rashid Sultan Rashid Al Malik Alshahhi, 43, of acting as agents of the UAE.
The full indictment is available to read here.
“The defendants repeatedly capitalized on Barrack’s friendships and access to a candidate who was eventually elected President, high-ranking campaign and government officials, and the American media to advance the policy goals of a foreign government without disclosing their true allegiances,” said the Justice Department's acting Assistant Attorney General Mark Lesko in a statement.
“The conduct alleged in the indictment is nothing short of a betrayal of those officials in the United States, including the former President.”
According to the U.S. Attorney’s office and the FBI, the arrests should be considered a warning to those acting on behalf of foreign governments in the United States.
“These arrests serve as a warning to those who act at the direction of foreign governments without disclosing their actions, as well as those who seek to mislead investigators about their actions, that they will be brought to justice and face the consequences,” said acting U.S. Attorney Jacquelin M. Kasulis for the Eastern District of New York.
Court documents show that between April and Nov. 2016 Barrack served as an informal advisor to Trump’s 2016 campaign. After the election, Barrack continued on in his capacity as an informal advisor to senior U.S. government officials on issues related to U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East beginning in Jan. 2017.
Barrack was also the chairman of a global investment management firm headquartered in Los Angeles. Grimes also worked at the firm and reported directly to Barrack.
Barrack, 74, of Santa Monica, will appear in federal court in downtown Los Angeles Tuesday afternoon.