New evidence further links the lobbying firm of Tony Podesta, a prominent Hillary Clinton fundraiser and the brother of Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta, to the work of embattled Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort.
The Associated Press reported on a new disclosure filed by the Podesta Group Wednesday, a lobbying firm run currently by Tony Podesta, who cofounded the business with his brother John.
Per the AP:
The Podesta Group Inc. disclosed details of lobbying it did from 2012 through 2014 on behalf of a Brussels-based nonprofit, the European Center for a Modern Ukraine. The firm, run by the brother of Hillary Clinton presidential campaign chairman John Podesta, reported in its filing that it was paid more than $1.2 million for its efforts. It cited unspecified “information brought to light in recent months” and conversations with Justice Department employees as the reason for its decision.
The disclosure follows reporting by The Associated Press in August, citing emails obtained by the AP, that the firm of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his deputy Rick Gates, who served in a senior role in the Trump campaign, had overseen the lobbying effort, which sought to promote a Ukrainian political party’s interests in Washington. President Donald Trump pressured Manafort to resign as his presidential campaign chairman immediately after AP’s reporting.
Though the Podesta Group previously disclosed its work to Congress, in order to comply with the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act, lobbyists working on behalf of foreign leaders need to file disclosures with the Justice Department.
As Politico explained, the filings “appear to clean up the firm’s requirement to disclose its role in foreign lobbying that Manafort reportedly orchestrated.”
In a copy of the disclosure obtained by Politico, the Podesta Group acknowledged “its work on the Centre’s behalf could be interpreted as principally benefitting a foreign government.” The document shows that the firm’s efforts to “foster closer ties between Ukraine and the West” included outreach to members of the media, congressional staff, and others.
Tony Podesta was a top bundler for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign, a detail was not included in the AP’s report.
The Podesta Group has faced scrutiny in the past for its work on behalf of foreign businesses and governments.
Emily Jashinsky is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
