Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s team is stopping Russian oligarchs as they enter U.S. airports to catch them by surprise. The FBI agents are questioning the wealthy and powerful Russians about possible foreign cash being funneled illegally into the Trump campaign, and even inspecting their cell phones and other devices.
Calling the move an “unusual step,” CNN in an exclusive report notes one Russian oligarch had his electronic devices searched “when his private jet landed at a New York area airport, according to multiple sources familiar with the inquiry.”
A second Russian oligarch was stopped during a recent trip to the US, although it is not clear if he was searched, according to a person briefed on the matter.Mueller’s team has also made an informal voluntary document and interview request to a third Russian oligarch who has not traveled to the US recently.
Why is Mueller’s team stopping wealthy Russians at airports?
Former federal prosecutor Daniel Goldman tells CNN, “Prosecutors and investigators like the element of surprise when you can get more instinctive (and often truthful) responses.” He adds, “surprise is crucial for those searches because you don’t want anyone to wipe their phone.”
CNN notes the new development “reveals that Mueller’s team has intensified its focus into the potential flow of money from Russia into the US election as part of its wide-ranging investigation into whether the Trump team colluded with Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election.” The report also suggests Mueller’s team may have found proof – “records or documents” – and now is just looking to see how much more it can find.
Image by Petar Milošević via Wikipedia and a CC license