A key witness in Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation has been hit with federal charges for allegedly conspiring to funnel more than $3.5 million to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign.
George Nader, a Lebanese-American lobbyist busted for child pornography earlier this year, and seven others were named in a 53-count indictment unsealed in Washington, DC, federal court Tuesday.
Nader is accused of funneling millions of dollars in contributions through Allied Wallet CEO Ahmad “Andy” Khawaja, Khawaja’s wife and Khawaja’s company to Clinton’s campaign between March 2016 and January 2017.
The two men allegedly made the contributions “in an effort to gain influence with high-level political figures,” prosecutors said in a press release.
“By design, these contributions appeared to be in the names of Khawaja, his wife, and his company,” prosecutors said. “In reality, they allegedly were funded by Nader.”‘
Neither Clinton nor President Trump are named in the indictment — but details, as well as federal donor records, make it clear Khawaja and Nader made contributions to both.
Court papers also include text messages between Nader, Khawaja and others.
“Had a terrific meeting with my Big Sister H. You will be most delighted!” Nader wrote to someone only identified as “an official from Foreign Country A’s government” in one exchange — an apparent reference to Clinton.
Khawaja hosted a private fundraiser at his home for Clinton, as well as other political events.
His company also donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural committee. Khawaja and Nader attended the inaugural together, the indictment says.
Nader served as an informal liaison between Trump’s advisers and Mohammed bin Zayed, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, according to Politico.
In court papers, Nader is referred to as a “self-described advisor to certain foreign governments in the Middle East.”
Nader is in federal custody and facing trial in January on unrelated charges of transporting a 14-year-old boy for sexual activity. He’s also accused of possessing child pornography after authorities seized his phones and discovered disturbing videos involving boys as young as 3.
In his report, former special counsel Mueller said Nader helped arrange a 2017 meeting in Seychelles between Erik Prince, a Trump supporter and founder of private security firm Blackwater, and an official with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.