Giuliani Unlikely to Be Charged in Federal Lobbying Case

Rudy Giuliani is reportedly unlikely to face federal charges in the federal investigation of his business activity in Ukraine.

Federal prosecutors have been investigating Giuliani for nearly two years to determine whether he illegally lobbied the Trump administration in favor of Ukrainian officials who had been collaborating with him in his quest to dig up dirt on the Biden family. Three sources close to the matter do not believe charges are likely, the New York Times reported.

DC BAR SLAPS RUDY GIULIANI WITH ETHICS CHARGES OVER ELECTION FRAUD CLAIMS

“If I were representing someone else, I would tell my client to be cautiously optimistic,” Giuliani told NBC News. “These are good signs … but to quote Yogi Berra — it ain’t over till it’s over.”

Federal prosecutors working the case previously convinced a judge to order the seizure of his electronic devices, but they have been unable to find breakthrough evidence of wrongdoing, sources told the New York Times. The case remains open, so investigators could find significant evidence, but so far, prosecutors are lacking the smoking gun they need, according to the report.

In February, Giuliani reportedly answered questions from investigators in the case. During the run-up to the presidential election, Giuliani sought to help President Donald Trump uncover dirt that could harm Joe Biden’s prospects of winning the presidential election. Giuliani was Trump’s personal lawyer at that time.

Hunter Biden, the son of Joe Biden, was known to have worked on the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma. Giuliani cultivated ties with Ukrainian prosecutor Yuriy Lutsenko and other prominent citizens of Ukraine while trying to dig up dirt on the Bidens. Investigators were examining whether Giuliani pushed for the Trump administration to oust the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine to benefit Lutsenko, the New York Times reported.

At one point, Lutsenko offered to dole out $200,000 for Giuliani’s services to help him recover funds he believed had been swindled from the Ukrainian government, but Giuliani ultimately rejected that offer, per the outlet.

While serving as vice president, Joe Biden joined other Western leaders in pressuring Ukraine to fire its top prosecutor Viktor Shokin, who later claimed he had been investigating Burisma. In 2019, Trump had a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in which he stressed the need to “look into” the Burisma situation, according to a transcript. Trump was subsequently impeached over the Ukraine matter but was acquitted by the Senate.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Two former associates of Giuliani, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, have been charged with federal campaign charges distinct from the dealings with Giuliani in Ukraine. Parnas reportedly offered to assist in the federal investigation of Giuliani.

News that Giuliani is unlikely to face charges for lobbying on behalf of a foreign government comes amid an investigation of Hunter Biden that reportedly encompasses his overseas dealings. Giuliani is also facing legal scrutiny from Fulton County prosecutors over his efforts to challenge the 2020 election.