Putin-linked businessman admits to US election meddling
Last edited Mon Nov 7, 2022, 05:30 PM - Edit history (3)
Source: AP
Kremlin-connected entrepreneur Yevgeny Prigozhin admitted Monday that he had interfered in U.S. elections and would continue to do so — confirming for the first time the accusations that he has rejected for years.
“Gentlemen, we have interfered, are interfering and will interfere. Carefully, precisely, surgically and in our own way, as we know how to do,” Prigozhin boasted in remarks posted on social media.
The statement, from the press service of his catering company that earned him the nickname “Putin’s chef,” came on the eve of the U.S. midterm elections.
It was the second major admission in recent months by the 61-year-old businessman, who has ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Prigozhin has previously sought to keep his activities under the radar and now appears increasingly interested in gaining political clout — although his goal in doing so was not immediately clear. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Monday that Prigozhin’s comments “do not tell us anything new or surprising.”
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-business-social-media-7fefa7ab0491b653f6094a4d090155fe
Article updated. Previous articles -
The statement, from the press service of his catering company that earned him the nickname "Putin's chef," came on the eve of U.S. midterm elections in response to a request for comment. A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment.
It was the second major admission in recent months by the 61-year-old businessman, who has ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Prigozhin has previously sought to keep his activities under the radar and now appears increasingly interested in gaining political clout -- although his goal in doing so was not immediately clear.
A senior U.S. administration official who was not authorized to discuss Prigozhin's remarks publicly and thus spoke on condition of anonymity said: "While we would not speculate to his specific motivations, we know Russia's efforts includes promoting narratives aimed at undermining democracy and sowing division and discord. It is not surprising that Russia would be highlighting their attempted efforts and fabricating a story about their successes on the eve of Election Day."
The statement, from the press service of his catering company that earned him the nickname "Putin's chef," came on the eve of U.S. midterm elections in response to a request for comment. It was the second major admission in recent months by the 61-year-old businessman who has ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Prigozhin has previously sought to keep his activities under the radar and now appears increasingly interested in gaining political clout.
In September, he also publicly stated that he was behind the Wagner Group mercenary force -- something he also had previously denied -- and talked openly about its involvement in Russia's 8-month-old war in Ukraine. The military contractor also has sent its forces to places like Syria and sub-Saharan Africa. Video also has emerged recently of a man resembling Prigozhin visiting Russian penal colonies to recruit prisoners to fight in Ukraine.
In 2018, Prigozhin and a dozen other Russian nationals and three Russian companies were charged in the U.S. with operating a covert social media campaign aimed at fomenting discord and dividing American public opinion ahead of the 2016 presidential election won by Republican Donald Trump. They were indicted as part of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian election interference.
Article and headline updated.
Original article/headline -
Yevgeny Prigozhin, an entrepreneur known as "Putin's chef" because of his catering contracts with the Kremlin, on Monday admitted he had interfered in U.S. elections and said he would continue to do so -- for the first time confirming the accusations he has been rejecting for years.
"We have interfered, are interfering and will continue to interfere. Carefully, precisely, surgically and in our own way," Prigozhin said in remarks posted by his spokespeople on social media.
Prigozhin, a dozen other Russian nationals and three Russian companies were charged with operating a covert social media campaign aimed at fomenting discord and dividing American public opinion ahead of the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
They were indicted in 2018 as part of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian election interference.
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