Who is Paul Whelan, tinker, tailor, soldier, spy?

[chocolatpi]

First off, I want to thank President Biden and all the members of the team that brought BG home. I've seen a lot of comments on news sites from tRump supporters about how unfair this is for the guy who supported DT in 2016, a former Marine.

From my reading, Paul Whelan was court marshaled while in the Marines for larceny. He allegedly had $80K in cash confiscated at the Russian airport on the day of his arrest. Who carries cash these days? He holds citizenship in Canada, Ireland, the UK and US. His employment history includes working for Kelly Services on contract to Borg Warner.

Is Paul a soldier of fortune, an arms dealer or an innocent pawn? I don't have all the facts and suspect there is much more to know before suggesting making a deal. I trust the Biden Team to handle the negotiations in the best interests of the USA.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/russia-demanded-that-a-spy-held-in-germany-be-freed-in-exchange-for-paul-whelan/ar-AA156e28

Russia demanded that a spy held in Germany be freed in exchange for Paul Whelan
Story by Natasha Bertrand • Yesterday 11:49 AM

[chocolatpi]

2. I like the way you think.

[70sEraVet]

3. I agree with you, that Paul Whelan isn't exactly the all-american boy.

While he does have citizenship in four different countries, as do many people who have parents who have immigrated from other countries, Whelan had passports from all four countries!
You might like to read a Slate article on him.

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/paul-whelan-russia-espionage.html

[hlthe2b]

4. I too am suspicious. The admin is saying what they have to say, but even that

which is verified and published (dishonorable discharge following an attempt to steal $10K or more and related issues), in Russia to attend a wedding yet was not even remotely curious about being given a USB drive enough to look at it?

I don't know. People make mistakes and people can be clueless, but something just doesn't add up to me. Still, he's an American and like all detained in other countries, we should do our best to get them home.

[48656c6c6f20]

5. He got a Big Chicken Dinner

Not a Dishonorable. Dishonorable would be for a major crime, murder, treason etc.
He's not a hero, decorated marine, blah blah blah. He's a convicted thief.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_discharge#Bad_Conduct_Discharge_(BCD)

[GoCubsGo]

6. Too bad we didn't have Maria Butina to exchange for him.

Shit For Brains sent her back to Russia for nothing. That scumbag didn't serve more than a few days for her crimes.