South Dakota man linked to Russian spy sentenced for fraud

[TexasTowelie]

Source: AP

SIOUX FALLS | A former conservative operative who was once romantically linked to a Russian agent was sentenced Monday to seven years in federal prison in South Dakota.

Paul Erickson pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering as part of fraudulent investment schemes he operated for many years, the Argus Leader reported.

Erickson was not charged in connection to his romantic relationship with Maria Butina, who was deported in October after admitting she sought to infiltrate conservative U.S. political groups and promote Russia’s agenda. He came under the scrutiny of federal investigators who were monitoring Butina but her role in his downfall did not come up in court.

Prosecutors said Erickson concocted multiple investment schemes from 1996 to August 2018, including recruiting investors for a string of elder care homes; developing a wheelchair that allowed a person to use the bathroom from the chair; and home-building in North Dakota’s booming oil fields. He operated his schemes from Sioux Falls, defrauding $5.3 million from investors.

Read more: https://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/south-dakota-man-linked-to-russian-spy-sentenced-for-fraud/article_f9ea848e-8c68-5c29-abff-4c543bd33b77.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1

[BigmanPigman]

1. He'll spend more time in jail than Roger Stone

And Manna fort and Flynn combined (once they are all pardoned) I bet.

[Lock him up.]

2. Russiapublican Personal-Responsibility values...

Rich, isn't it?

Lock him up!

[dware]

8. Ummm,

he's already being locked up.

[Lock him up.]

9. "Erickson will be required to report to prison on July 20."

It's July 7.

Anyway, there's another felon (caught committing conspiracy with Michael Cohen on tape) who should be locked up (and not just for that crime) but he hides in a bunker protected by Bill Barr...

Make Justice Great Again from January 20, 2021.

[dware]

10. I'm all in on this.

Make Justice Great Again from January 20, 2021

[Ford_Prefect]

3. Any sign he's got a book deal going or a personal appearance tour which precludes immediate jail?

Or an open ticket at the Sioux Falls Aeroflot counter?

It seems not:

Erickson admitted that his “moral judgement failed,” and he failed his faith and investors. “Everything most precious to me has already been taken” such as the right to vote and bear arms.

Judge Karen Schreier said she gave credit to Erickson for pleading guilty and taking responsibility for his crimes before giving him a seven-year sentence, more than three years longer than the high-end of the sentencing guidelines. After prison, he must serve three years of supervised release. A decision on restitution for victims was deferred.

Erickson will be required to report to prison on July 20. Monday’s sentencing had been repeatedly postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

[usaf-vet]

4. Erickson also had a relationship with Maria Butina who was reportedly funneling $$$ into the NRA....

.... which reportedly was funneled to republican elected officials.

That was RUSSIAN money pass through the NRA to republican elected officeholders. To buy WHAT?

[lagomorph777]

5. To buy WHAT?

Obviously, the complete and utter slavish obedience of the Russiapublican Party, to Vladimir Putin.

[usaf-vet]

6. That would be my guess as well.

There is a word for that right?

TREASON or TRAITOR. Works for me.

Follow the money!

[NotHardly]

7. Treason is the Trump of this Season, and his being a Traitor is the reason.

It is always about the money... the "gain"... something you and I might not do but then we do not need to be treasonous to want to have money

Winning at any cost, has a cost.