Federal prosecutors have closed their foreign lobbying investigation into former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani without pressing any charges.
Giuliani, himself a former federal prosecutor, has been under investigation for the last few years, and prosecutors sought to determine whether he illegally lobbied the Trump administration in favor of Ukrainian officials who had been collaborating with him in his quest to dig up dirt on the Biden family.
U.S. Attorney in Manhattan Damian Williams wrote to Judge J. Paul Oetken on Monday to say the “grand jury investigation that led to the issuance of the above-referenced warrants has concluded, and that based on information currently available to the Government, criminal charges are not forthcoming.”
DC BAR SLAPS RUDY GIULIANI WITH ETHICS CHARGES OVER ELECTION FRAUD CLAIMS
Giuliani’s lawyer, Arthur Aidala, celebrated the decision, telling CNBC, “It’s very rare for the Southern District of New York to make such a definitive comment,” and, “And we are very pleased but not surprised that they have done so.”
Federal agents executed a search warrant at Giuliani’s home and law offices in April 2021. Federal prosecutors previously convinced a judge to authorize the seizure of Giuliani’s electronic devices, though they were unable to find any evidence implicating him in any wrongdoing, sources told the New York Times for a report published in August.
During the run-up to the 2020 presidential election, Giuliani sought to help then-President Donald Trump uncover dirt that could harm Joe Biden’s prospects of winning the contest. Giuliani was Trump’s personal lawyer at that time, and much of the focus was placed on Biden’s adult son, Hunter Biden, who served on the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma. Two former associates of Giuliani, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, were charged with federal campaign charges distinct from the dealings with Giuliani in Ukraine.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The Ukrainian controversy was the subject of Trump’s first impeachment in 2019. He was acquitted by the GOP-led Senate at the time.
Giuliani and Trump are also facing legal scrutiny from Fulton County, Georgia, prosecutors over efforts to challenge the 2020 election.
