Mysterious Investors Behind $1 Billion
Land Purchase Near Key Air Force BaseMicaela Burrow
Investigative Reporter, Defense
July 07, 2023 2:47 PM ET
The Air Force is investigating nearly $1 billion in mysterious land purchases near a key Air Force base in California, but after eight months of digging has been unable to uncover the investors behind the deal, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.
A mysterious group known as Flannery Associates has gobbled up nearly 52,000 acres of agricultural land in California, including areas near Travis Air Force Base, sparking concerns of foreign influence that lead to the Air Force’s Foreign Investment Risk Review Office’s probe, according to the WSJ. Flannery maintains it is majority American-owned, with the remaining 3% of invested capital originating from Ireland and Britain, but local authorities, lawmakers and federal agencies continue to probe the opaque company.
“Any speculation that Flannery’s purchases are motivated by the proximity to Travis Air Force Base” is unfounded, an attorney for the firm told the WSJ.
In the last five years, Flannery has become the largest landowner in Solano County, the outlet reported, citing county officials and public records.
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https://dailycaller.com/2023/07/07/investors-air-force-base-land/