That's kind of meaningless, since the director of CITGO's US operations, Félix M. Rodriguez, reports directly to Hugo Chavez.
Here he is in the Bronx, speaking in front of a banner that reads "From the Venezuelan Heart to the U.S. Hearth."
Posted on 03/15/2007 8:06:18 AM PDT by Alter Kaker
Given the recent news that Rudolph Giuliani's law firm / lobbying shop, Bracewell-Giuliani works for the Hugo Chavez-owned CITGO oil company, I'm curious as to whether Bracewell may have violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938.
The Act makes it a felony for an American citizen to do any of the following on behalf of a foreign government, without registering with the criminal division of the Justice Department:
Since those activities are essentially the definition of lobbying, it seems unlikely that Bracewell could have avoided violating the act. Moreover, it is clear that CITGO is indistinguishable from the Venezuelan government, which owns 100% of its shares, and which has placed cronies of Mr. Chavez at all levels of its operations.
- Engage in political activities
- Act in a public relations capacity for a foreign principal
- Solicit or dispense any thing of value within the United States for a foreign principal
- Represent the interests of a foreign principal before any agency or official of the U.S. government.
For more information on FARA, go the applicable DoJ website here. Bracewell's lobbying does not appear to be exempted by the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995. Has Giuliani/Bracewell committed a crime? Thoughts?
Interesting.
§ 617. Each officer, or person performing the functions of an officer, and each director, or person performing the functions of a director, of an agent of a foreign principal which is not an individual shall be under obligation to cause such agent to execute and file a registration statement and supplements thereto as and when such filing is required under subsections (a) and (b) of section 612 of this title and shall also be under obligation to cause such agent to comply with all the requirements of sections 614(a) and (b) and 615 of this title and all other requirements of this subchapter. Dissolution of any organization acting as an agent of a foreign principal shall not relieve any officer, or person performing the functions of an officer, or any director, or person performing the functions of a director, from complying with the provisions of this section. In case of failure of any such agent of a foreign principal to comply with any of the requirements of this subchapter, each of its officers, or persons performing the functions of officers, and each of its directors, or persons performing the functions of directors, shall be subject to prosecution therefor.
yeah, the argument from the Giuliani people is that "Rudy hasn't been personally involved with Citgo!"
He doesn't have to. He is a Senior Partner.
Well, this is a separate issue from earlier threads, which concerned the ethical question of working for Chavez. By my reading of the law (and I'm admittedly not an expert on this) it would seem that Giuliani may have committed a pretty serious felony. I wonder if there's anybody on FR who knows more about this.
Ask the Justice Department. They have plenty of time on their hands right now...
Over here
I was being facetious earlier about asking the Justice Department.
Last night, I noticed that the news agencies who actually reported this story (Fox News specifically) made the point that the Giuliani people said that Bracewell & Giuliani are representing the firm in Houston, Texas -- NOT the Venezuela company or the commie Hugo Chavez. However, an intesting investigation might be to just "follow the money".
I question whether the Rudyite will even UNDERSTAND any of this, the simple things, LIKE THE FACT THAT RUDY IS A BLEEDING-HEART LIBERAL, seem to fly right over their heads.
That's kind of meaningless, since the director of CITGO's US operations, Félix M. Rodriguez, reports directly to Hugo Chavez.
Here he is in the Bronx, speaking in front of a banner that reads "From the Venezuelan Heart to the U.S. Hearth."
Ya'll might want to take a look at this.
It wouldn't just be Rudy either. There are a number of officials that do this (Look at Kissinger).
I am on the DOJ site now looking for a database, and I don't see one.
I did find this:
http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/press_room/press_releases/2002_3463_DOJ_ANNOUNCES_CONTRACT_AWARD_FOR_MANAGEMENT_STUDY_OF_THE_ORGANIZED_CRIME_DRUG_ENFORCEMENT_TASK_FORCES_PROGRAM.htm
DOJ ANNOUNCES CONTRACT AWARD FOR MANAGEMENT STUDY OF THE ORGANIZED CRIME DRUG ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCES PROGRAM
That is a bit disturbing considering there may be a connectin with drugs:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1792756/posts
BALKAN CONNECTION (Albanian mafia in 80es threatening to Rudi Giuliani)
Oh, I fully agree. However, the law may state that since there is a U.S. presence with Citgo in Houston, it may not be considered a "foreign" company or government agency, thus circumventing the limitation. Hey, I hope they nail him, but I think the lawyers would have at least covered their butts on this.
I think the last time I heard of anyone charged with such a violation was Billy Carter, the beer expert brother of Jimmy Carter.
Liberals NEVER have a problem with a liberal they support committing crimes.
Yes, I'm sure the 400 lawyers that work for B&G totally missed this and the Texas Ethics Commission as well...
They didn't because they'd argue that CITGO isn't a foreign principle. They're wrong.
Here's another Bracewell and Giuliani deal:
Attorneys Bracewell & Giuliani's January Closings in Kazakhstan Total US $1.625 Billion
lawfuel.com | February 22, 2007
FR Posted on 02/26/2007 by Jim Robinson
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1791780/posts
ALMATY, Kazakhstan-- LAWFUEL - Law News, US Law Firms --Bracewell & Giuliani LLP closed three cases in January for a total of US $1.625 billion, acting as international counsel for the offering of corporate debt and solidifying their place as the premier legal authority on Kazakhstani business affairs in the Caspian region. “We continue to thrive and grow in Kazakhstan, mirroring the country itself,” said Greg Vojack, managing partner for the firm's offices in Kazakhstan. “As Kazakhstan transitions into a prosperous free marketplace after the fall of Soviet Russia, its fine-tuned monetary policies are helping the country’s financial sectors grow faster than New York.” ~snip~
Established in 1994, Bracewell's presence in the Republic of Kazakhstan has helped clients capture significant opportunities in the Caspian Region. The firm's energy and finance attorneys provided groundbreaking guidance to create the legal and financial infrastructure in that emerging nation and today actively advise energy and financial companies in the region and the government of Kazakhstan. ~snip~
MORE BACKGROUND Giuliani firm has Venezuela ties MiamiHerald.com | Thu, Mar. 15, 2007 | BETH REINHARD Posted on 03/15/2007 3:26:41 AM PDT by Condor 63
The law firm headlined by presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani does business with a company tied to Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez, who has called President Bush ``the devil.'' Bracewell & Giuliani lobbies on behalf of Texas-based Citgo Petroleum, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Venezuelan oil company controlled by Chávez. The Bush administration said last year that Venezuela was ''not cooperating fully'' with antiterrorism efforts, stopping one step short of grouping the country with state sponsors of terrorism like Iran, Syria and Cuba. Giuliani, the former New York City mayor best known for his leadership after the Sept. 11 terrorism attacks, does not personally lobby for Citgo, though he is a senior partner at the firm and shares in its profits. (Excerpt) Read more at miamiherald.com ...
The argument that "Rudy doesn't have anything to do with Citgo" in order to shield him is quite reminiscent of the Nazi Germans' common excuse "I was only following orders".
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