Patterico's Pontifications

7/12/2023

About That Missing Witness In The Biden Probe…

Filed under: General — Dana @ 12:31 pm



[guest post by Dana]

Oh, okay then:

A missing witness into the investigation of Hunter Biden’s business dealings who claims he has proof of the President’s son’s corrupt connections to the Chinese government has reappeared after he himself was accused of being a Chinese agent and fled custody.

Days after Gal Luft publicly dared the DOJ to unseal the indictment against him — alleging the charges he’s facing are a political attempt to cover up his claims of Hunter Biden’s corruption — officials did just that.

The US Attorney’s Office on Monday released the indictment against the US-Israeli dual citizen, who was arrested in Cyprus in February on charges of willfully failing to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (“FARA”), arms trafficking, Iranian sanctions violations, and making false statements to federal agents.

Now facing federal charges, the US Attorney’s Office SDNY released this statement about Luft and his alleged criminal behavior:

As alleged, Gal Luft, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen and co-head of a Maryland think tank, engaged in multiple, serious criminal schemes. He subverted foreign agent registration laws in the United States to seek to promote Chinese policies by acting through a former high-ranking U.S. Government official; he acted as a broker in deals for dangerous weapons and Iranian oil; and he told multiple lies about his crimes to law enforcement. As the charges unsealed today reflect, our Office will continue to work vigorously with our law enforcement partners to detect and hold accountable those who surreptitiously attempt to perpetrate malign foreign influence campaigns here in the United States.”

The charges include Conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act, Conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act, Violation of the Arms Export Control Act (relating to Libya), Violation of the Arms Export Control Act (relating to the United Arab Emirates), Violation of the Arms Export Control Act (relating to Kenya), Making false statements, Conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

A few interesting details:

First, LUFT conspired with others in an effort to act within the United States to advance the interests of the People’s Republic of China (“China”) as agents of China-based principals, without registering as foreign agents as required under U.S. law…

Second, LUFT conspired with others and attempted to broker illicit arms transactions with, among others, certain Chinese individuals and entities. In his role as a broker or middleman, LUFT worked to find both buyers and sellers of certain weapons and other materials, without a license to do so as required under U.S. law, in violation of the Arms Export Control Act…

Third, LUFT conspired with others and attempted to broker deals for Iranian oil – which he directed an associate to refer to as “Brazilian” oil in an effort to conceal the activity and evade sanctions – in violation of U.S. sanctions against Iran and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act…

Keep in mind that some Republicans have been pushing for Luft to be granted immunity from prosecution in exchange for his testimony. Also, Luft himself recorded a video in which he claims that efforts are being made to prevent him from testifying:

In the 14-minute recording, obtained exclusively by The Post, the fugitive former Israeli army officer claims he was arrested in Cyprus to stop him from testifying to the House Oversight Committee that the Biden family received payments from individuals with alleged ties to Chinese military intelligence and that they had an FBI mole who shared classified information with their benefactors from the China-controlled energy company CEFC.

The self-proclaimed fall guy says he provided the incriminating evidence to six officials from the FBI and the Department of Justice in a secret meeting in Brussels in March 2019 — but alleges that it was covered up.

“I, who volunteered to inform the US government about a potential security breach and about compromising information about a man vying to be the next president, am now being hunted by the very same people who I informed — and may have to live on the run for the rest of my life on the run …”

“I’m not a Republican. I’m not a Democrat. I have no political motive or agenda … I did it out of deep concern that if the Bidens were to come to power, the country would be facing the same traumatic Russia collusion scandal — only this time with China. Sadly, because of the DOJ’s cover-up, this is exactly what happened …”

Meanwhile, Oversight Chairman James Comer said on Fox News that he still believes that the fugitive Luft may be a credible witness:

“We definitely want to hear more about his allegations and we want to see the notes from the [Brussels] meeting. They sent six FBI [and DOJ officials], according to Gal Luft, to Brussels to interview him. Obviously they were concerned about something he had to say. There’s some level of credibility here.”

Democrats responded to the news by demanding the GOP turn over all the information on the interactions they have had with Luft. Ranking member Jamie Raskin, along with Rep. Daniel Goldman, wrote:

We are concerned that an official committee of the House of Representatives has been manipulated by an apparent con man who, while a fugitive from justice, attempted to fortify his defense by laundering unfounded and potentially false allegations through Congress.

Although Mr. Luft has been on the run for months, you touted him as a ‘potential witness’ and even prepared to interview him as part of your investigation. As recently as Friday, you described Mr. Luft as ‘a very credible witness’ about matters relating to the President’s son’s financial dealings with Chinese companies.

This is a crazy story, and who knows where it will eventually lead. At this point, knowing what we know, I’m right about here:

As for whether or not you believe the government’s allegations against Luft, I’ll reserve final judgment for when evidence is produced in a court of law.

But when you’re asked to take the word of a fugitive making videos for the New York Post over career prosecutors making sworn statements with their entire careers and livelihoods on the line . . . I gotta be honest. I’m leaning toward trusting the government. At least as a provisional reading of the situation.

–Dana

33 Responses to “About That Missing Witness In The Biden Probe…”

  1. Welp.

    Dana (560c99)

  2. “Comer” and “Gohmert” not only sound similar, they’re stupid similar.

    Paul Montagu (8f0dc7)

  3. So true, Paul.

    Dana (560c99)

  4. I heard that Christopher Wray today vouched for all 38,000 people working at the FBI. So he is not willing to leave the door open for 380 or 1% who are not so great? Statistically speaking, there has to be at least 1-5%, from 380 to 1900. Why can’t he just say that in every group, there are always a few and we are constantly working to protect the integrity of the FBI etc? That kind of blanket statement makes Wray less credible and seem blindly loyal and naive. Assuming there are at least 2 bad apples in the 38,000 apples in the FBI barrel, what if they are in the upper echelon

    steveg (dfd02c)

  5. Something like .0013% of the 74+ million people who voted against Biden have been charged for the DC riot. But the entire lot are all bad apples.

    Quite a compare and contrast…

    BuDuh (eaef9b)

  6. Something like .0013% of the 74+ million people who voted against Biden have been charged for the DC riot.

    And Trump loved them.

    Rip Murdock (d2a2a8)

  7. ?

    BuDuh (eaef9b)

  8. ?

    BuDuh (eaef9b) — 7/12/2023 @ 1:33 pm

    Instead of loving the overwhelming majority who did not riot, Trump loved the ones who did. He called them special, in fact.

    norcal (e5b4c8)

  9. Why are you talking about Trump?

    BuDuh (eaef9b)

  10. Why are you talking about Trump?

    BuDuh (eaef9b) — 7/12/2023 @ 1:51 pm

    Because you were alluding to the people who rioted on his behalf in #5.

    norcal (e5b4c8)

  11. I was comparing a group and percentage to the group and percentage that Steve noted in the comment above mine. Rip had a non-sequitur comment and you have joined in. What you two are talking about doesn’t matter to anyone but you two.

    BuDuh (eaef9b)

  12. BuDuh (eaef9b) — 7/12/2023 @ 1:59 pm

    And you, apparently.

    Rip Murdock (d2a2a8)

  13. Sorry Dana. I have apparently caused a Trump itch that must be scratched at all costs.

    I will jump out of this thread. Hopefully it gets back on track.

    BuDuh (eaef9b)

  14. Sorry, rip. This fish ain’t gonna bite.

    BuDuh (eaef9b)

  15. It’s a generic problem with criminal informants. Many of them are criminal informants. And really, anyone who was on the inside of the deals that Luft alleges would have to be pretty dirty himself. Sure, he’s trying to get over on some serious charges, but self-interest isn’t an unusual motivator.

    Kevin M (2d6744)

  16. He called them special, in fact.

    They weren’t all that special. One is born every minute.

    Kevin M (2d6744)

  17. Juries sort this stuff out all the time.

    Kevin M (2d6744)

  18. But when you’re asked to take the word of a fugitive making videos for the New York Post over career prosecutors making sworn statements with their entire careers and livelihoods on the line . . . I gotta be honest. I’m leaning toward trusting the government. At least as a provisional reading of the situation.

    Well, sure. But Senator Ted Stevens was unavailable for comment.

    Kevin M (2d6744)

  19. *shrug* We’ll see what happens, but the “informer” seems to have read his audience correctly in that if he has something to say about Hunter Biden then nothing else he’s done matters. Although I do have to ask what FBI agent would trust Hunter Biden of all people to be his pipeline to a Chinese energy company. Seriously, would you trust Hunter Biden of all people with secrets that could ruin you and get you sent to the clink for the rest of your life?

    Nic (896fdf)

  20. if he has something to say about Hunter Biden

    It’s Biden senior that he’s implicating.

    Kevin M (2d6744)

  21. Burisma trusted Hunter Biden.

    BuDuh (eaef9b)

  22. Like the whistleblowers, Luft says a lot without any documentary evidence. He wants a deal, no doubt including dropping the indictment plus use immunity, so anything he says cannot be used against him or any new information derived from his testimony.

    If he’s so trustworthy and credible Congress should grnt him immunity.

    Rip Murdock (d2a2a8)

  23. Democrat party more interested in making dr. cornel west disappear. Biden only won in 2020 in az, ga. and wi. because democrat party got green party kicked off ballot. Media black out didn’t stop jill stein in 2016 and wont stop dr. west in 2024.

    asset (446a93)

  24. asset (446a93) — 7/12/2023 @ 3:14 pm

    Cornel West is in love with the sound of his own voice, and is brevity-challenged.

    norcal (e5b4c8)

  25. Ima forget. Who was Pr/esident, Attorney General, and FBI Director in March, 2019?

    What we have here is corrupt criminal traitors which is to say Congressional Republicans, in thralldom to a corrupt criminal traitor which is to say Trump, peeved that the DOJ and the FBI, Trump appointees or not, were not as criminal, corrupt, and subservient to Trump as they are.

    nk (e906d4)

  26. @24 So? The left will use him as protest votes as we did jill stein in 2016. Your vote counts not why you voted. What scares biden and the Democrat party is he is black!

    asset (8a2e19)

  27. asset (8a2e19) — 7/12/2023 @ 10:50 pm

    Is it okay with you if West saps votes from Biden, and Trump is elected again? I thought you supported Ukraine.

    norcal (e5b4c8)

  28. I gotta be honest. I’m leaning toward trusting the government. At least as a provisional reading of the situation.

    Yeah, no.

    It isn’t our job to believe the government. It’s our job to to demand that the government prove it.

    Especially since there’s documented evidence these last few years that the DOJ either pushes the envelope to uncharted territories, or out right fraud of the court.

    I gotta say tho… you’d have to believe that well over 50% of DC residence may well be guilty of FARA violations, and those charges has only been en vogue since the Trump administration.

    So, I do think prosecutorial abuse wouldn’t be out of the question here.

    whembly (5f7596)

  29. ” career prosecutors making sworn statements with their entire careers and livelihoods on the line ”

    Their careers and livelihoods are not on the line. Past evidence makes it clear that the career prosecutors will never be punished and only the most egregious may receive a slap on the wrist, to resign, and then picked up by a boutique law firm and rewarded for their service.

    ingot9455 (3eee4f)

  30. Career prosecutors like the one that worked to imprison innocent men to protect their informants? Who was that guy again… it’s on the tip of my tongue…

    NJRob (4461fc)

  31. Lol. Would the government lie to you?

    I mean, they just informed us that nobody knows who brought cocaine into the White House recently. They have no idea.

    Late-stage USSR stuff.

    Mike P. (b84e44)

  32. 19. Nic (896fdf) — 7/12/2023 @ 2:58 pm

    Although I do have to ask what FBI agent would trust Hunter Biden of all people to be his pipeline to a Chinese energy company. Seriously, would you trust Hunter Biden of all people with secrets that could ruin you and get you sent to the clink for the rest of your life?

    Oh, I think that if the informant is telling the truth about this, Hunter Biden was lying to the Chinese.

    (After all how much does a CCP connected person know how the United States works?)

    This seems especially plausible since the the information that Hunter Biden is said to have passed on from his mole was 180 degrees wrong!

    https://nypost.com/2023/03/22/hunter-biden-used-fbi-mole-to-tip-him-off-to-china-probes-tipster

    “One-Eye” told Ye that the Southern District of New York was investigating him and/or Ho in late 2017, and that “an Asian, an African, and a Jewish guy” were named on a sealed indictment, says Henoch.

    Soon after that tipoff, Ye offered Hunter $1 million to be his “private counsel” and flew to China, leaving his wife, daughter, son, mother, and nanny in his $50 million penthouse at 15 Central Park West.

    He was detained in Shanghai three months later and disappeared.

    Before he left New York, Ye told Ho that the coast was clear for him to come back to the US.

    On Nov. 18, 2017, Ho flew into JFK Airport, where he was arrested by FBI agents on bribery and money laundering charges.

    “Ho was the patsy … the fall guy,” says Henoch.

    Ho was convicted in December 2018, without calling a single witness, served three years in jail, and was deported. Prosecutors placed the spotlight in his case on China’s use of foreign bribery to win contracts for its Belt and Road Initiative.

    Now the informant hass it that the information about Ye being under investigation in the USA was right and Ye tricked Ho into being arrested hoping that would satisfy U.S. law enforcement (not knowing he himself would be arrested in China)

    But Ye could have been informed by Hunter Biden that Ho was not
    a target of the investigation.

    Sammy Finkelman (1d215a)

  33. Mike P. (b84e44) — 7/13/2023 @ 10:47 am

    I mean, they just informed us that nobody knows who brought cocaine into the White House recently. They have no idea.

    They say there are 182 cubicles outside the Situation Room (which is currently not in use because it is being renovated) which cubicles are intended for stashing cell phones on the grounds they might be infected with spyware and that there are no cameras there because they don’t want to allow for the possibility that the cameras might capture some top secret words or pictures. (What is the quality of the usual video? Why is it smore secure further away? Because someone can exit the room too fast but once they get 60 or 100 feet away from the entrance to the Situation Room either there are too many possible cameras to tamper with or they’ll have packed it in better?

    Not having a camera there is Security Theater.

    Two people were stopped at checkpoints carrying marijuana one in June 2022 and one in Oct 2022. It was confiscated and destroyed but no arrest was made because of federal and DC decriminalization

    Sammy Finkelman (1d215a)


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