Statement Of U.S. Attorney Damian Williams On Guilty Verdicts Against Lev Parnas And Andrey Kukushkin
Lev Parnas and Andrey Kukushkin were found guilty by a federal jury of conspiring to illegally funnel foreign money into the 2018 U.S. midterm elections through straw donors to gain political influence and advance their cannabis business interests, violating campaign finance laws and undermining election integrity.
Lev Parnas and Andrey Kukushkin were convicted on multiple counts, including conspiracy to defraud the United States and making false statements, for orchestrating a scheme to conceal foreign contributions in the 2018 midterm elections. They used straw donors to funnel hundreds of thousands of dollars from foreign sources into U.S. political campaigns to secure access to American politicians and advance their financial goals in the cannabis industry. The case, prosecuted by the Southern District of New York’s Public Corruption Unit, underscored the Justice Department’s commitment to protecting the integrity of U.S. elections from foreign interference.
Lev Parnas and Andrey Kukushkin were found guilty by a unanimous federal jury of conspiring to illegally funnel foreign money into the 2018 U.S. midterm elections to gain political influence and further their financial interests in the cannabis industry. They violated federal campaign finance laws by using straw donors to conceal the foreign origin of contributions, which totaled hundreds of thousands of dollars, thereby circumventing legal restrictions designed to prevent foreign interference in U.S. elections. The scheme was explicitly designed to secure access to American politicians who could advance their business agenda, particularly in the emerging cannabis market. Both defendants were convicted on multiple charges, including conspiracy to defraud the United States and making false statements, reflecting the severity of their actions against election integrity. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York’s Public Corruption Unit, which emphasized the importance of safeguarding democratic processes from illicit foreign influence. The verdict sent a strong message that exploiting the U.S. political system for private gain through foreign funds will be met with serious criminal consequences. This prosecution marked a significant enforcement action in the broader effort to protect the transparency and fairness of American elections.
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- Lev Parnas found guilty of conspiracy to manipulate the United States political system for financial gain
- Andrey Kukushkin found guilty of conspiracy to manipulate the United States political system for financial gain
- Lev Parnas illegally funneled foreign money into the 2018 midterm elections
- Andrey Kukushkin illegally funneled foreign money into the 2018 midterm elections
- Lev Parnas And Andrey Kukushkin conspired to gain influence with American politicians and candidates for cannabis business profits
- U.S. Attorney Damian Williams issued statement on guilty verdicts against Lev Parnas and Andrey Kukushkin
- Federal jury found guilty Lev Parnas and Andrey Kukushkin
- Press Release issued on October 22, 2021
Press Release Statement Of U.S. Attorney Damian Williams On Guilty Verdicts Against Lev Parnas And Andrey Kukushkin Friday, October 22, 2021 Share FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. LinkedInLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. Email For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York “A unanimous federal jury has found that Lev Parnas and Andrey Kukushkin conspired to manipulate the United States political system for their own financial gain. In order to gain influence with American politicians and candidates, they illegally funneled foreign money into the 2018 midterm elections with an eye toward making huge profits in the cannabis business. Campaign finance laws are designed to protect the integrity of our free and fair elections – unencumbered by foreign interests or influence – and safeguarding those laws is essential to preserving the freedoms that Americans hold sacred. I commend the career prosecutors of this Office’s Public Corruption Unit whose outstanding work has helped bring to justice those who sought to illicitly influence our government.” Contact [email protected] [email protected] (212) 637-2600 Updated October 22, 2021 Topics Foreign Corruption Public Corruption Component USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 21-296
Press Release Statement Of U.S. Attorney Damian Williams On Guilty Verdicts Against Lev Parnas And Andrey Kukushkin Friday, October 22, 2021 Share FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. LinkedInLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. Email For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York “A unanimous federal jury has found that Lev Parnas and Andrey Kukushkin conspired to manipulate the United States political system for their own financial gain. In order to gain influence with American politicians and candidates, they illegally funneled foreign money into the 2018 midterm elections with an eye toward making huge profits in the cannabis business. Campaign finance laws are designed to protect the integrity of our free and fair elections – unencumbered by foreign interests or influence – and safeguarding those laws is essential to preserving the freedoms that Americans hold sacred. I commend the career prosecutors of this Office’s Public Corruption Unit whose outstanding work has helped bring to justice those who sought to illicitly influence our government.” Contact [email protected] [email protected] (212) 637-2600 Updated October 22, 2021 Topics Foreign Corruption Public Corruption Component USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 21-296