From "DOJ News", re Barrack Arrest...
Former Advisor to Presidential Candidate Among Three Defendants Charged with Acting as Agents of a Foreign Government
Defendants Allegedly Acted and Conspired to Act at the Direction of Senior United Arab Emirates Officials to Influence a Presidential Campaign, Public Opinion and the U.S. Government
“As alleged, the defendants, using their positions of power and influence in a presidential election year, engaged in a conspiracy to illegally advance and promote the interests of the United Arab Emirates in this country, in flagrant violation of their obligation to notify the Attorney General of their activities and in derogation of the American people’s right to know when a foreign government seeks to influence the policies of our government and our public opinion,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jacquelin M. Kasulis for the Eastern District of New York. “These arrests serve as a warning to those who act at the direction of foreign governments without disclosing their actions, as well as those who seek to mislead investigators about their actions, that they will be brought to justice and face the consequences.”
“Today’s indictment confirms the FBI’s unwavering commitment to rooting out those individuals who think they can manipulate the system to the detriment of the United States and the American people,” said Assistant Director Calvin Shivers of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division. "Barrack is alleged to have abused his access to government officials to illegally advance the interests of foreign governments. The FBI stands in concert with our external partners to ensure all who seek to wield illegal influence are charged for their crimes.”
“American citizens have a right to know when foreign governments, or their agents, are attempting to exert influence on our government,” said Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. of the FBI’s New York Field Office. “This is especially important to Americans during a presidential election year, and the laws on the books were created to protect our nation from such untoward influence. This case is about secret attempts to influence our highest officials, and when that corrupt behavior was discovered, we allege Mr. Barrack went even further, obstructing and lying to FBI special agents. In case it needs repeating, each of those bad choices is a federal felony, and each now comes with significant consequences – the first being today’s indictment.”
According to court documents, between April and November 2016, Barrack served as an informal advisor to the campaign of the candidate in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Between November 2016 and January 2017, Barrack served as Chairman of the Presidential Inaugural Committee. Beginning in January 2017, Barrack informally advised senior U.S. government officials on issues related to U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. Barrack also sought appointment to a senior role in the U.S. government, including the role of Special Envoy to the Middle East. Barrack served as the Executive Chairman of a global investment management firm headquartered in Los Angeles, and Grimes was employed at the firm and reported directly to Barrack. During the relevant time period, Alshahhi worked as an agent of the UAE and was in frequent contact with Barrack and Grimes, including numerous in-person meetings in the United States and the UAE.
(Snip)
"In furtherance of the alleged criminal conspiracy and conduct, Barrack and Grimes, with the assistance of Alshahhi, acquired a dedicated cellular telephone and installed a secure messaging application to facilitate Barrack’s communications with senior UAE officials.
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-advisor-presidential-candidate-among-three-defendants-charged-acting-agents-foreign
Much more at link.
These clowns were using a dedicated cellphone with special encryption as a backchannel.
I wonder who had the ones used for communicating with the Russian spies, and if the DOJ already has all the evidence needed for more arrests/charges?
The Trump administration dwarfs the plot of any of the best spy novels.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Barrack's arrest is 100% the greatest piece of news EVER!!! I'm still screaming with joy this morning!! 
A number of my friends have no idea who he is, but that's okay - this story will be evolving as days go by as more AND MORE is revealed
And also, does anyone know where Tom Barrack and his little go-fer spent last night?? 
Um, let me guess... the slammer?
Now, this young Grimes fellow started doing his thang for Barrack when he was 22 --- so the kid knows some STUFF, right?! -- and I should think that as a young man, he has *p l e n t y* to trade on for a reduced sentence, non? YEP
Buh bye, Tommy-boy!! 
No doubt
I seem to recall that Barrack could have had about any post he wanted, but he turned them down.
"No, dear. That's Trump bundler Thomas Barrack."
