Arms Trafficking and Chinese Espionage: Maryland Think Tank Director Faces Criminal Charges

In a late bulletin on Monday, the Justice Department lifted the veil on allegations against Gal Luft, co-director of a Maryland-based think tank, revealing a tangled web of illicit arms brokering, secret agent operations for Beijing, and breaches of U.S. sanctions related to procuring Iranian oil.

Luft, a dual U.S.-Israeli national, is accused of paying a former high-ranking U.S. government official – and former advisor to President-elect Donald Trump – on Chinese principals’ behalf in 2016.

These actions were carried out while sidestepping federal law requiring him to register in the U.S. as a foreign agent.

Now a fugitive, the 57-year-old has emerged as a central figure in GOP-led corruption probes targeting President Joe Biden, making broad accusations concerning the Biden family’s alleged improper financial ties with the China-managed energy firm CEFC.

These claims, categorically rebuffed by the White House and Biden family representatives, allege corruption.

The Justice Department released an eight-count indictment on Monday, charging Luft with violations from failure to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, or FARA, to arms trafficking transgressions, breaches of Iranian sanctions, and deceiving federal agents.

Luft was apprehended in Cyprus based on these U.S. charges on February 17, only to abscond after being released on bail while awaiting extradition. His indictment was made public in a Justice Department news release late Monday.

The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, labeled Luft’s activities as “multiple, serious criminal schemes”.

He went on to remark that Luft “subverted foreign agent registration laws in the United States to seek to promote Chinese policies… acted as a broker in deals for dangerous weapons and Iranian oil; and… told multiple lies about his crimes to law enforcement”.

Known for his anti-Biden whistleblower claims, Luft, a seasoned energy security analyst who resides in Maryland and Israel, accuses the Biden family of accepting bribes and payments from individuals linked to Chinese military intelligence and energy corporations.

His allegations have found backing among several prominent Republicans including Senator Ron Johnson and Rep. James Comer. Johnson has even questioned whether the Justice Department’s case against Luft is an attempt to stifle his supposed exposé of Biden family corruption.

The indictment portrays Luft as a conspirator with multiple others who aimed to advance China’s interests in the U.S., unregistered as foreign agents.

This operation involved a former high-ranking U.S. official, discreetly engaged and compensated under the aegis of Chinese patrons.

Luft allegedly utilized his role as a co-director of the non-profit think tank to carry out this clandestine operation, promoting pro-China agendas without alerting the Justice Department.

The unnamed former Trump advisor, referred to as Individual-1 in the documents, was allegedly placed in a position of influence to support pro-China policies.

The indictment also outlines that Luft doubled as an illegal broker, arranging deals for specific weapons and materials, a blatant contravention of the Arms Export Control Act.

Among the numerous alleged activities, Luft was said to have facilitated an arms deal between Chinese firms and Libya, including anti-tank launchers and mortar rounds, often using coded language in transactions.

Adding to Luft’s list of charges, the indictment contains allegations of selling weapons to the United Arab Emirates and Kenya, including aerial bombs, rockets, and unmanned “strike” vehicles.

Moreover, Justice Department officials accuse Luft of a failed attempt to bypass U.S. sanctions against Iran by brokering deals for Iranian oil under the guise of “Brazilian” oil.

The charges suggest a continued history of deceit, culminating with Luft misleading U.S. law enforcement about his involvement in arms trading and dealings with Iran.

As a result of these allegations, Luft, who splits his time between Maryland and Israel, has become a polarizing figure in political circles.

Known for his work as an energy security analyst with the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security, he disputes the charges, decrying them as politically motivated in a series of tweets.

Several Republican leaders continue to champion Luft as a whistleblower, believing him to be key in uncovering potential corruption within the Biden family. However, others argue that this could be a diversion tactic in light of Luft’s own legal battles.

Among his backers, Senator Ron Johnson and Rep. James Comer have voiced their support publicly, expressing belief in his cause and offering platforms for him to testify.

So far, their assertions rest on undisclosed specifics. In the meanwhile, the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability is faced with the awkward situation of having lost track of its whistleblower, as acknowledged by Comer in May.

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USA TODAY