Lobbyist who co-operated in Russia probe asks for probation
Posted April 8, 2019 1:18 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
WASHINGTON — A Washington lobbyist initially ensnared in the Russia investigation is asking a federal judge to spare him prison time for unregistered lobbying and participating in a foreign donation scheme involving President Donald Trump’s inaugural committee.
Attorneys for W. Samuel Patten say he should be credited for co-operating with special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation and receive probation.
Patten admitted last year that he lobbied in the U.S. on behalf of a Ukrainian political party without registering with the Justice Department.
He also orchestrated a scheme to circumvent the federal ban on foreign donations to inaugural committees. Patten had a straw purchaser front $50,000 for four tickets to the inauguration for a Ukrainian politician.
Patten later lied about it to the Senate intelligence committee. He faces up to five years in prison.
Chad Day, The Associated Press
