Podesta Group retroactively files more DOJ disclosures for pro-Putin work

The Podesta Group belatedly filed several new disclosures with the Justice Department on Aug. 17 related to work the firm completed between 2012 and 2014 on behalf of a pro-Russia Ukrainian think tank.

Back in April, the powerful Washington lobbying firm run by Clinton ally Tony Podesta filed a document admitting its work for the pro-Russia European Centre for a Modern Ukraine may have principally benefited a foreign government. New disclosures revealed dozens of previously unreported interactions the firm made with influential government offices, including Hillary Clinton's State Department and the office of former Vice President Joe Biden, while lobbying on behalf of the center. Embattled ex-Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort failed to disclose his extensive lobbying efforts on behalf of the center at the time as well.

Anyone lobbying or doing public relations on behalf of foreign governments is required to register as a foreign agent in compliance with the Foreign Agents Registration Act. The Aug. 17 filings include short-form registration statements for six Podesta Group employees and an amendment to the firm's registration statement that includes a list of political contributions made by relevant employees throughout 2013.

A review of those donations shows both parties received cash from Podesta Group lobbyists.

The individual employee filings appear to be uniform and lawyerly, each describing what their services were supposed to entail as, "Research and analyze issues related to principal's organizational mission of improving ties between Ukraine and the West counsel on activities in Congress and executive branch and developments that relate to the principal's organizational mission; and maintain contact, as needed, with legislative and executive branch officials, members of the media, and NGOs." One of the filings is for Tony Podesta himself, who was a bundler for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign. Tony and his brother John--Clinton's 2016 campaign chairman--co-founded the lobbying firm in 1988.

Last August, the AP reported that Manafort oversaw the lobbying efforts on behalf of the center carried out by the Podesta Group and Mercury, another high-powered firm. As the Washington Examiner noted in May, the Podesta Group was paid more by the think tank than Mercury -- the firms earned $1 million and $720,000 between 2012 and 2014, respectively.

At the time of the firm's retroactive filing in April, Politico reported CEO Kimberly Fritts "said in a statement that the firm relied on assurances from the think tank, the European Centre for Modern Ukraine, that it was not controlled or financed by a foreign government or political party. Based on that information, the firm disclosed its work to Congress rather than to the Justice Department."

Even after filing with the DOJ in April, it appears the Podesta Group is still cleaning up its own mess.

> pro-Russia European Centre for a Modern Ukraine

Welcome to the European Centre for a Modern Ukraine (ECFMU), a unique “Modern Ukraine” organisation operating in Brussels and around Europe as an advocate for enhancing EU-Ukraine relations.

Since its independence in 1991, Ukraine, as a nation, has been developing amidst the ever-challenging political, economic and social landscapes of its geographic neighbours and global partners. Political partnerships, global/regional trade and international cooperation (amongst others) compose a large part of this often-changing terrain. Thus far, Ukraine has navigated these landscapes with varying degrees of success. The task of developing and furthering relations with its neighbours and global/regional partners, while cultivating its own national interests and future horizons, requires the formation of strategic alliances. In doing so, Ukraine has identified the EU as a key partner on its path to a prosperous tomorrow.

In very recent times, Ukraine has been working closely with the EU to bring its governance and policies into line with European standards. This partnership includes the application of EU recommendations and assistance in undertaking a host of reform programmes throughout the various spheres of Ukrainian governance. Given its mature, well-functioning political, legal and economic models, the EU serves as a type of ideological base for the future development of Ukraine. As such, through a close and invaluable cooperation, Ukraine is steadily putting together the essential pieces for further integration into the EU – a proven model for the future.

The challenges presented by the process of integration make essential the advocacy of an efficient, hard-working organisation – an organisation with political ‘know-how’, a necessary link between policy-makers and organisations and an ever-present partner in order to advance the European aspirations of Ukraine.

That is where the ECFMU enters the picture.

The ECFMU aims to provide information about political life in Ukraine and the fulfilment of the country’s aspirations for European integration, as well as to establish good contacts between Ukrainian politicians and European civil society organisations, opinion leaders and political decision-makers. A social-democratic, non-governmental organisation located in Brussels, the ECFMU provides information about Ukraine to governments, businesses and other interested parties. The immediate agenda of the ECFMU is to focus on themes such as the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement (including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement) and the list of legal, political and economic reforms necessary for its adoption by governments in the EU and by Ukraine, as well as the October 2012 elections to the Verkhovna Rada.

As Ukraine progresses in the direction of a deeper European integration, the ECFMU strives to promote and prepare various political and legislative initiatives geared towards the overall mission of enhancing partnerships within Ukraine and the EU. In working closely with Ukrainian and European representatives throughout the political, business and cultural spectrums, the aim of the ECFMU is to promote a truly modern Ukraine – a Ukraine prepared for the global challenges of the future.

Finally, it is my hope that you will find the ECFMU to be a trusted partner and relevant source as the EU and Ukraine continue to advance the essential, mutually beneficial partnership leading ultimately to the European integration of Ukraine.

https://web.archive.org/web/20120605002715/http://www.eu-centre-modern-ukraine.eu:80/

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