DOJ Ignores Allegations of Saudi Lobbying Misconduct

October 24, 2018March 13, 2021 editor28pages 9/11, Ben Freeman, Bob Graham, Capitol Media Group, civil suit, DOJ, Donald Trump, Elliott Schwartz, FARA, FBI, JASTA, Kenneth Williams, lobbying, lobbyists, Qorvis MSLGROUP, Saudi Arabia, Scott Wheeler

U.S. military veterans say Qorvis Communications tricked them into unknowingly lobbying on behalf of Saudi Arabia

Campaign against law enabling 9/11 victims to sue kingdom used unregistered agents, failed to provide required disclosures

By Brian P. McGlinchey

In March 2017, a group of 9/11 families presented the Department of Justice with 17 pages of detailed allegations that Qorvis Communications had, on behalf of Saudi Arabia, conducted a lobbying campaign against the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) characterized by extensive violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). Continue reading →

Saudis, Ex-Spies and a DC Socialite: Highlights From Lobbying Firm’s Report to DOJ

July 16, 2018July 26, 2018 editor28pages Bill Smullen, Capitol Media Group, FARA, Hakluyt, Hollywood on the Potomac, Janet Donovan, lobbying, Marcia Christoff-Kurapovna, Pagefield Global Counsel, Qorvis, Qorvis MSLGROUP, Saudi Arabia, Scott Wheeler, Syracuse University

Figure in vet lobbying scandal returns to collect another $79,000; Qorvis rubs elbows with secretive opposition research firm

By Brian P. McGlinchey

Lobbying and public relations firm Qorvis MSLGROUP has filed its latest semiannual disclosure forms with the Department of Justice’s Foreign Agent Registration Act office, covering the period from October 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018.

Qorvis plays a central role in the expansive Saudi effort to influence not only U.S. foreign policy and public opinion, but even the American judicial system. Here are some points of interest from the new filing, which Continue reading →

Kim and Connie Schmett’s Saudi Scandal Prompts New Iowa Laws

May 31, 2018March 5, 2021 editor28pages Clive, Connie Schmett, Dustin DeMoss, Iowa, JASTA, Polk County, Qorvis MSLGROUP, Saudi Arabia, veterans

State officials banned from working for foreign governments

By Brian P. McGlinchey

In the wake of reporting by 28Pages.org and Associated Press that two Iowa officials worked for Saudi Arabia against a law that enabled 9/11 victims to proceed with a civil suit against the kingdom, the state has enacted legislation barring state officials from working for foreign governments.

Connie Schmett and her husband Kim Schmett are gubernatorial appointees to three state panels. Connie sits on the Health Facilities Council and the Cultural Trust Board of Trustees, and Kim chairs the Employment Appeal Board. Continue reading →

Cornyn Condemns Tactics Saudis Used Against 9/11 Justice Law

July 26, 2017March 5, 2021 editor28pages 9/11, Capitol Media Group, Dianne Feinstein, FARA, Foreign Agents Registration Act, Jason Johns, JASTA, John Cornyn, lobbying, lobbyists, Qorvis MSLGROUP, Saudi Arabia, Scott Wheeler, video

“This kind of conduct should gall every member of the Senate”

By Brian P. McGlinchey

In a high-profile hearing today, Senator John Cornyn condemned Saudi lobbyists for exploiting U.S. military veterans in their campaign to weaken a law enabling 9/11 family members and survivors to sue the kingdom for its alleged support of the attacks. Continue reading →

The Saudi Agents Next Door: Americans Who Cashed in on Campaign to Stop 9/11 Trial

July 13, 2017March 5, 2021 editor28pages 29:11 Strategies, 9/11, Advocacy Solutions LLC, Billy Horton, Capitol Media Group, Capitol Strategies, Community Strategies Inc, Connie Schmett, Cory Black, Creative Communications, D. Hollis Felkel II, Daniel Lederman, Dauntless Communications, David H. Carroll, Duane Morris Government Strategies, Eaton River Strategies, Eric Eisenhammer, Felkel Group, Flywheel Government Solutions, Francis X. McMahon, Frank Bickford, Gibson McKay, Hubbell Communications, Hynes Communications, J. Ballard Everett, Jackson-West Consulting, Jason Johns, JASTA, Jeffrey Dixon, Joe Kuklis, Jon Bombardieri, Kathie Summers Grice, Kim Schmett, Kirsten Kukowski, KK & Company, KOFA Public Affairs, Kristen Sheehan, Kyle Moyer & Company, lobbying, lobbyists, LS2 Group, Michael Gibson, Novus Public Affairs, Organized Karma, Paul Stanley, Paul Young, Peritus Public Relations, Public Policy Solutions, Qorvis MSLGROUP, Randy Hayden, Resch Strategies, Rick Abbruzzese, Roy Lenardson, Sarah Durand, Saudi Arabia, Scott Wheeler, Shannon Bilbray-Axelrod, Shelbi Lewark, Sherpa Public Affairs, Steven Cohen, Strategic Advocacy LLC, The Resources Group, Vectre Corporation, Wellington Strategies, Wes Farno, Yocheved Chevy Weiss

Saudi Arabia spent millions trying to keep 9/11 families and survivors from presenting evidence against the kingdom

By Brian P. McGlinchey

**Mike Gibson of Community Strategies Inc**

Last October, the Saudi government partnered with Qorvis MSLGROUP to launch a massive, nationwide lobbying effort aimed at undermining a new law that cleared the way for 9/11 families and survivors to sue Saudi Arabia for its alleged support of al Qaeda and its hijackers.

Now, a disclosure filing with the Department of Justice gives an indication of the high cost of the effort, and helps shine a light on Americans all across the country hired to execute the kingdom’s campaign to keep evidence of its links to 9/11 out of court. Continue reading →

U.S. military veterans say Qorvis Communications tricked them into unknowingly lobbying on behalf of Saudi Arabia

Campaign against law enabling 9/11 victims to sue kingdom used unregistered agents, failed to provide required disclosures

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Figure in vet lobbying scandal returns to collect another $79,000; Qorvis rubs elbows with secretive opposition research firm

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State officials banned from working for foreign governments

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“This kind of conduct should gall every member of the Senate”

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Saudi Arabia spent millions trying to keep 9/11 families and survivors from presenting evidence against the kingdom

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