Barrack, a longtime friend of Donald Trump, faced charges related to illegal foreign lobbying on behalf of the United Arab Emirates, leading to his arrest in July 2021.
Tom Barrack is a businessman and investor who gained recognition for his association with Donald Trump. Born on April 28, 1947, in Los Angeles, California, Barrack has a background in real estate and finance.
Key Points:
- Business Ventures: Tom Barrack is the founder and executive chairman of Colony Capital, a global investment firm focused on real estate and private equity. Over the years, he has been involved in various business ventures and investment activities.
- Real Estate Expertise: Barrack is known for his expertise in real estate, and he played a significant role in the consolidation of assets during the savings and loan crisis in the 1990s.
- Association with Donald Trump: Barrack and Donald Trump have had a longstanding friendship and business relationship. Barrack was a close ally and confidant of Trump.
- Role in the 2016 Presidential Campaign: During the 2016 presidential campaign, Barrack served as the chairman of Trump’s Inaugural Committee. He played a key role in organizing events surrounding Trump’s inauguration in January 2017.
- Arrest and Legal Issues: In July 2021, Tom Barrack was arrested on charges of illegally lobbying on behalf of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The charges included acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government and making false statements to the FBI.
- UAE Lobbying Allegations: The charges against Barrack were related to his alleged efforts to influence U.S. policy in favor of the UAE without registering as a foreign agent. The indictment accused Barrack of using his access to Trump to advance the interests of the UAE.
- Notable Resignation: Following his arrest, Barrack resigned from his position as executive chairman of Colony Capital. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
It’s important to note that legal situations can evolve, and developments may have occurred since my last update in January 2022. For the latest information on Tom Barrack and his legal matters, it is recommended to check more recent and reliable news sources or official statements from legal authorities.