The FBI has seized electronic data of a retired four-star general who made false statements and withheld 'incriminating' documents about his role in an illegal foreign lobbying campaign on behalf of the wealthy Persian Gulf nation of Qatar, authorities say.
New federal court filings have outlined a potential criminal case against former Marine General John R. Allen, who led US and NATO forces in Afghanistan before being asked in 2017 to lead influential research group Brookings Institution.
The findings detail Allen's behind-the-scenes efforts to influence US foreign policy to help Qatar amid a diplomatic crisis between the Qatari royal family and its neighbours.
FBI agent Babak Adlip wrote in a search warrant application for Allen, referring to the Foreign Agents Registration Act: 'There is substantial evidence that these FARA violations were willful.'
Allen is amongst members of Congress being interviewed about the investigation which has seen former ambassador to the UAE and Pakistan, Richard G. Olson, who pleaded guilty to federal charges of illegal lobbying last week.
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