Trump ally Barrack arrested on foreign lobbying charges -U.S. Justice Department

WASHINGTON / NEW YORK, July 20 (Reuters) – Thomas Barrack, a billionaire friend of Donald Trump who ran the former president’s inaugural fund, was arrested Tuesday and charged with cracking down on the Trump administration on behalf of the United Arab Emirates to be.

A seven-point indictment from the federal prosecutor’s office in Brooklyn, New York alleged that Barrack, a former employee and Emirati businessman, failed to register as a lobbyist and used his leverage to advance the UAE’s foreign policy goals in the United States .

Barrack, who was arrested in Los Angeles, also reportedly lied about his dealings with the UAE during an FBI interview.

The barracks spokesman denied the allegations. “Mr. Barrack has made himself available to investigators from the start. He is not guilty and will plead not guilty,” said the spokesman.

Justice Department official Mark Lesko said in a press release that “The defendants have repeatedly benefited from Barrack’s friendships and access to a candidate who was eventually elected president, high-ranking campaign and government officials, and the American media to help out political goals a foreign government without revealing its true loyalty. “

Billionaire real estate investor Thomas Barrack, Chief Executive Officer of Colony Capital, will meet with the media on May 22, 2019 in Mexico City, Mexico, to discuss investment plans in Mexico and Latin America. REUTERS / Henry Romero

Barrack, 74, is a longtime Trump ally and the founder of digital infrastructure-focused private equity firm DigitalBridge Group Inc (DBRG.N), known as Colony Capital Inc. prior to a renaming announced in June.

Barrack stepped down as CEO of DigitalBridge in 2020. In April he resigned as Executive Chairman of the company but remained as a non-executive director. Forbes estimates his net worth at $ 1 billion.

DigitalBridge manages approximately $ 32 billion worth of digital assets, including data centers across North America and the UK. Barrack owns approximately 5.7% of DigitalBridge, whose shares closed 1.4% on Tuesday at $ 6.93.

A DigitalBridge spokeswoman declined to comment.

Barrack was a prominent supporter of Trump’s successful 2016 presidential campaign and chaired its founding committee.

The federal prosecutor moves to arrest Barrack and says in a lawsuit that his enormous fortune, access to private jets, and history of international travel suggest he could become a refugee.

Reporting by Jan Wolfe in Washington DC and Chibuike Oguh in New York; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Peter Cooney

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