Hunter Biden’s business associates had a close relationship with the new Ukrainian prosecutor.
Connections and Controversies: The Burisma Saga
Introduction
After then-Vice President Joe Biden successfully pressured Ukraine to remove its prosecutor general Viktor Shokin, a new figure emerged in the role with ties to Hunter Biden. This revelation adds a fresh layer to the ongoing debate surrounding the investigations into Burisma, the Ukrainian energy company. Let’s delve into the details.
The Lobbyists and Hunter Biden
State Department emails suggest that Yuri Lutsenko, the prosecutor general who took over from Shokin, had relied on the same lobbyists representing Burisma and its chief executive for years. Interestingly, Hunter Biden personally brought these lobbyists into the Burisma deal in 2015 to shut down investigations into the company’s chief executive, according to his own emails.
The Debate and Testimony
A recent debate has arisen regarding whether Shokin was actively investigating Burisma at the time Joe Biden pushed for his removal. Devon Archer, Hunter Biden’s former business partner, testified that Burisma board members were fed a narrative suggesting that the Ukrainian prosecutor general did not pose a threat to the company.
The Role of Blue Star Strategies
In 2015, Hunter Biden arranged for Sally Painter and Karen Tramontano of the lobbying firm Blue Star Strategies to work for Burisma and its chief executive. Emails reveal that the purpose of this arrangement was to close down any cases against the chief executive in Ukraine. Internal State Department emails later indicated that Painter was also representing Lutsenko, the replacement for Shokin.
Connections to Hillary Clinton’s Team
George Kent, a high-level State Department official, complained that Painter had bullied him in a phone call regarding Lutsenko. Painter claimed to have represented Lutsenko’s interests in the US for five years. Additionally, Blue Star Strategies offered to connect Lutsenko with Hillary Clinton’s team, suggesting potential political ties.
Investigations and Controversies
Blue Star Strategies faced an investigation by the Justice Department for allegations of unregistered foreign lobbying. While they eventually registered their work for Burisma’s chief executive, the investigation was closed. An IRS whistleblower also revealed that efforts to obtain search warrants for Blue Star Strategies’ emails were shut down.
The Shokin Debate
The question of whether Shokin was investigating Burisma and its chief executive at the time of Joe Biden’s intervention has become a contentious issue. Archer admitted that Shokin was a threat to Burisma and his removal benefited the company. However, he also mentioned that the board was provided with a different version of events.
The Bribery Allegations
State Department emails indicate that the Obama administration believed Burisma’s chief executive had paid a bribe to Shokin’s predecessor, Vitaly Yarema, in 2014. Shokin took over in 2015 and began investigating Burisma more aggressively. Under Lutsenko, the investigation into Burisma ended.
The Influence of Blue Star Strategies
Messages and testimony gathered by the Senate Homeland Security Committee reveal that Blue Star Strategies succeeded in securing meetings with Lutsenko and a Burisma executive, which they struggled to do under Shokin. This suggests that the prosecutor who replaced Shokin was more receptive to Burisma’s lobbying efforts.
Conclusion
The connections and controversies surrounding Burisma continue to fuel the partisan debate over the Biden family’s involvement. The role of lobbyists, the actions of various prosecutors, and the influence of political ties all contribute to the complex narrative surrounding this ongoing saga.
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