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Former Obama Adviser Takes the Fifth
A former Obama administration trade adviser accused of plotting to purchase $10 million in gold from a Congolese warlord refused to detail his role in the illegal plot, invoking the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times during confidential court testimony, according to documents obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.
President Obama tapped oil mogul Kase Lawal, a prolific Democratic bundler and Clinton family confidante, to serve as a member of the White House’s Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations in 2010. Lawal’s name no longer appears on the website.
Soon after his appointment, court documents allege, Lawal became entangled in a plot to purchase nearly 2,500 pounds of Congolese gold from Gen. Bosco Ntaganda, a rebel commander who has been linked by the International Criminal Court to ethnic massacres and rapes.
The charges raised red flags among D.C. foreign policy observers, who questioned why the White House would associate with such a controversial figure.
Lawal is a prolific donor to both the Democratic National Committee and the Obama campaign, according to public records in which he lists himself as the chairman and CEO of CAMAC International. He donated $35,800 to the Obama Victory Fund in 2011 and $30,800 to the DNC. Additionally, Lawal has donated varying amounts to several Democratic Congressional campaigns.
Frosteetoes
August 14th, 2012
What was Obama’s cut in all this remains to be seen.
giamby
August 14th, 2012
Well that’s a first!
giamby
August 14th, 2012
@Frosteetoes
Your icon is very disturbing…
Dickey Do Fan
August 14th, 2012
Is it illegal to buy physical gold from an African?
Xavier
August 14th, 2012
I’m picking out a pardon for you, not an ordinary pardon for you. But an extra-special pardon for you…
Dickey Do Fan
August 14th, 2012
” Lawal’s alleged actions would have violated a U.N. ban on doing business with rogue Congolese warlords.”
Frak the UN, I don’t see why we shouldn’t be able to buy gold or diamonds from a warlord.
Stranded in Sonoma
August 14th, 2012
He did not take the Fifth. He requested that he be granted the privilege against self incrimination. The 5th amendment is your right against compulsory self-witness. The first one has nothing to do with the other.
Unless you mean the bottle of booze he was taking a swig from everytime he was asked a question.
Unneutral
August 14th, 2012
Here, I know someone that can get you off, his name is Eric Holder, I have his card here somewhere……
ruble
August 14th, 2012
kwame, dat be you?
Brian in BC
August 14th, 2012
That’s about 55 Million in gold at today’s exchange rates.
123321123321
August 14th, 2012
Don’t worry the Main Stream Media will NEVER report on this.
Sadie
August 14th, 2012
Are there any Obama associates, bundlers, etc. who have not been under investigation or are not serving time in prison or the Mayo Clinic?
scr_north
August 14th, 2012
You have to know if this mand was a conservative and had been a member of Bush’s admin this would be the lead story on the TV and front page in the papers.
Zonga
August 14th, 2012
Clearly, it was a tax dodge.
reddecaesari
August 14th, 2012
i saw this movie..
the congo job
dba...vagabond trader
August 14th, 2012
Another Ubama pal, a proud member of the 1% corruptocrats.
chico escuela
August 15th, 2012
Didn’t this guy blow up in a James Bond movie?
Kang Baay
August 15th, 2012
If you ain’t corrupt you don’t qualify to work in the Obama administration.
GregMan
August 15th, 2012
He must have gotten one of those “I am the Financial Minister of Nigeria” emails.