Questions Linger Over Donations Biden Got From a Russian Lobbyist Before Nord Stream 2 Decision
By Nick Arama | May 30, 2021 12:00 PM ET
oe Biden’s presidential campaign accepted thousands of dollars from a top Russian lobbyist in October 2020, according to the NY Post.
This was not only against Biden’s campaign pledge not to take lobbyist money, but as the Post explains, Richard Burt was directly involved in lobbying related to Nord Stream 2.
As we previously reported, Joe Biden has come under fire for waiving sanctions on the company, Nord Stream 2 AG and the CEO, Putin crony and former East German intelligence officer Matthias Warnig. The U.S. and President Donald Trump were fighting the pipeline for years, but then Biden just caved by waiving the sanctions, giving Russia an ability to control energy into the EU.
According to the Post, Burt donated $4,000 to the Biden campaign and $10,000 to the liberal political action committee Unite the Country in March 2020.
To build the pipeline, Nord Stream 2 has partnered with five European energy companies, ENGIE, OMV, Shell, Uniper and Wintershall Dea. Lobbying disclosure forms show that Burt is currently advocating on behalf of all five.
“To protect and further the company’s interests in the debate over natural gas as an element of European energy security and advise on Russia sanctions issues,” reads Burt’s disclosure for OMV under the area for “specific lobbying issues.” The other four offer similar language.
When the New York Post started asking about the connection and the donation, the DNC said that they returned the cash after the inquiry.
“When Richard Burt donated to Biden Victory Fund, he failed to acknowledge that he was a registered foreign agent and was therefore ineligible to contribute,” A Democratic National Committee spokesman told The Post. “Because Burt also listed a different employer than on his [Foreign Agents Registration Act] registration, he was not flagged during our vetting process.”
more
https://redstate.com/nick-arama/2021/05/30/questions-linger-over-donations-biden-got-from-a-russian-lobbyist-before-nord-stream-2-decision-n388766
