U.S. Charges Russian Lawmaker Over Alleged Influence Scheme

U.S. prosecutors have unsealed an indictment charging a senior Russian politician and two staff members of conspiring to illegally advance Russia’s interests in the United States, including by reaching out to members of Congress.

The defendants include fifty-nine years old Aleksandr Babakov, the deputy chairman of the state Duma, the lower house of Russia’s legislature, who is an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Also charged was Babakov’s chief of staff Aleksandr Vorobev, 52, and staff member Mikhail Plisyuk, 58.

Prosecutors in Manhattan accused the defendants of having as early as 2012 operated an “international foreign influence and disinformation network” to advance Russia’s interests.

The indictment said the campaign was designed to weaken U.S. partnerships with European allies, undermine Western sanctions, and promote Russian actions “designed to destroy” Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Prosecutors quoted from a Dec. 2016 email from Vorobev promoting the influence campaign, where he allegedly said “purely legal work in hostile regimes is not enough.”

The defendants were each charged with three conspiracy counts: acting as foreign agents without formally notifying the U.S. Department of Justice, violating U.S. sanctions, and lying in a fraudulent effort to obtain U.S. visas.

None could immediately be reached for comment. Prosecutors said the defendants are based in Russia and at large.

They could each face up to 30 years in prison if convicted.