Ex-adviser to Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign Barry P. Bennett and his accomplice Douglas Watts orchestrated a clandestine lobbying campaign that happened during the Trump administration.
Unsealed court records reveal their covert efforts to advance the interests of a wealthy Persian Gulf country, strongly believed to be Qatar.
The intricate web of deception began with Bennett’s company, Avenue Strategies, signing a lucrative contract in 2017 to perform lobbying work for the Qatari embassy.
On the surface, Bennett registered with the Justice Department as a lobbyist for Qatar, as reported by Associated Press News on Wednesday, January 3
However, beneath the facade, he operated another entity, Yemen Crisis Watch, to launch a denigration campaign against one of Qatar’s unnamed rivals, presumably either Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates, both engaged in controversial military operations in Yemen.
This covert operation involved a multifaceted approach, including lobbying Congress and the Trump administration, a strategic social media campaign, the publication of opinion articles, and the production of a television documentary.
The aim was clear — to sway public opinion and policymakers against supporting the intervention in Yemen by Qatar’s rival.
The Justice Department’s charging documents underscore the lack of transparency in Bennett’s dealings.
His consulting company failed to disclose the creation and activities of Yemen Crisis Watch in its Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) filings.
Watts, the New Jersey political consultant working alongside Bennett, compounded the deceit by providing false statements to the FBI during interviews about his knowledge of the subsidiary company’s formation and actions.
As the legal proceedings unfold, federal prosecutors have filed two criminal counts against Bennett, signaling a resolution through a deferred prosecution agreement.
The terms include a $100,000 fine, and upon compliance, the case against Bennett will be dismissed.
A parallel agreement was reached with Douglas Watts, who, like Bennett, failed to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
The broader context of Qatar’s aggressive influence campaign during the Trump administration now comes into focus.
The wealthy Gulf country, facing a blockade by Saudi Arabia and neighboring nations, sought to shape U.S. policy through covert lobbying efforts.
Notably, the case sheds light on the intricate networks of political influence, involving figures like televangelist Robert Schuller and former Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer, who allegedly supported Yemen Crisis Watch’s efforts.
However, neither has faced charges, leaving unanswered questions about the extent of their involvement.
This tale of deception and manipulation within the corridors of power underscores the challenges of enforcing transparency and accountability in political lobbying.
As federal law enforcement continues to probe Qatar’s influence campaigns, the repercussions of these covert operations during the Trump era continue to unfold, revealing the complex interplay between political consultants, foreign interests, and the pursuit of power on the global stage.
