ALEXANDER TORSHIN (LEFT) ATTENDS AN EVENT WITH VLADIMIR PUTIN (RIGHT) IN 2011. [KONSTANTIN ZAVRAZHIN/GETTY IMAGES] On Thursday, McClatchy dropped a heckuva scoop: The FBI is investigating whether Russia illegally funneled campaign funds to the NRA as part of the country’s effort to influence the 2016 presidential election.
The NRA spent more than any other outside group to elect Donald Trump and other Republicans, shelling out $55 million (and maybe in excess of $70 million, according to two sources McClatchy spoke with, when undisclosed spending on online ads and grassroots outreach are factored in). Federal investigators want to know if the gun group illegally got some of those funds via a Kremlin-connected oligarch named Alexander Torshin. Details regarding links between the NRA and powerful Russian interests have been dribbling out for months. In November, Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein ratcheted up the intrigue when she sent a letter to the White House requesting any documents connected to the 2016 campaign, Torshin, the NRA, and a slew of conservative power brokers. The NRA has largely avoided commenting on the matter, though last summer, NRA TV personality Grant Stinchfield denied any illegal ties between the group and Russia. Here’s what’s known about Moscow’s courtship of the NRA, and the NRA’s subsequent role as a venue for Russian overtures to the Trump campaign.
American Politics in summary:
1. Rich people give donations to politicians 2. Politicians give things to the rich. It really is that simple. Set to 'From Russia with Love' This is for all those out there who cannot wait for the season ending of the gripping dumpster fire of a political shit show that is the current US administration. |
About Bill PritchardBill is a Liberal Democrat, DEC and DWC member, volunteer photographer, and a graduate of Penn State University College of Science, Biology. He spent over 30 years at U.S. Steel Gary Works managing the operation and maintenance of waste water treatment and water recycling facilities. He retired to Panama City, FL, in 2001--where he is needed and he's not going away. Categories
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