A California man who helped raise money for Barack Obamas campaign and served as co-chair of the Obama for America national finance committee for nearly a decade agreed to plead guilty to being a foreign agent and making illegal contributions.
Federal prosecutors charged Imaad Shah Zuberi, 49, with falsifying records to conceal his work as a foreign agent while lobbying high-level U.S. government officials, the Department of Justice said on Oct. 22. He was charged with violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
Zuberi earned millions of dollars through his lobbying, mostly from stealing from his clients, prosecutors said, and was charged with tax evasion and making illegal campaign contributions funneled from foreign entities and individuals totaling almost $1 million.
Once Zuberi pleads guilty to three counts on Oct. 30, he faces up to 15 years in federal prison.
“This case should deter individuals who seek to provide false statements to the Department and covertly influence our political process on behalf of foreign governments,” Assistant Attorney General of National Security John Demers said in a statement.
“Through misrepresentations in his FARA filing, Mr. Zuberi attempted to deceive our elected officials and the American public on behalf of Sri Lanka. The Department of Justice treats these crimes with the gravity that they deserve and will continue to aggressively identify, investigate and prosecute FARA violations.”
“Mr. Zuberis multi-faceted scheme allowed him to line his pockets by concealing the fact that he was representing foreign clients, obtaining access for clients by making a long series of illegal contributions, and skimming money paid by his clients,” added U. S. Attorney Nick Hanna. “Mr. Zuberi circumvented laws designed to insulate U.S. policy and our election process from foreign intervention. This investigation has halted his illegal conduct, will result in several felony convictions, and could send him to prison for a lengthy period of time.”
Officials said Zuberi operated a venture capital firm called Avenue Ventures and told foreigners that he could use his influence in Washington to change U.S. foreign policy and create business opportunities. Clients gave Zuberi money for consulting fees, to make investments, or to fund campaign contributions.
While some U.S. officials were willing to take action on issues Zuberi put forward, most of Zuberis business efforts were unsuccessful and his clients suffered significant losses. Many of the lobbyists, public relations consultants, and other subcontractors also suffered losses when Zuberi refused to pay them, according to prosecutors.
The illegal activity took place from 2012 to 2015, according to the charging documents. Officials said ZuRead More – Source
