Former House Democrat Starts Lobbying Firm, Will Receive $25k/Month From Ukraine

A former Democratic congressman has created a new lobbying firm and recently inked a deal with a Ukrainian government agency that will pay him $25,000 per month.

The development has renewed speculation over whether the billions of dollars in aid provided to Ukraine is being laundered and returned to individuals within the U.S.

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Earlier this year, James “Jim” Moran, who served as a Virginia congressman for 24 years before retiring in 2015, launched Moran Global Strategies (MGS), a lobbying firm with a growing number of international clients.

Under the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), individuals engaged in certain political activities on behalf of a foreign interest are required to report their actions and register as a foreign agent.

Under U.S. law, an “agent of a foreign principal” is a person who acts as an agent, representative, employee, or servant, or otherwise acts at the order, request, or under the direction or control of a “foreign principal.”

FARA requires registration before acting as an agent of a foreign principal, as well as supplemental statements to be filed.

According to recent filings with the FARA Registration unit, MGS is listed as a foreign agent for Ukraine’s Ministry for Strategic Industries.

Explaining what services will be provided, MGC says it will “provide strategic advice and assistance to support the Ministry for Strategic Industries of Ukraine within the U.S., including representing the Ministry’s interests in the defense and intelligence industries before the U.S. Executive and Legislative branches of government.”

The filing further states the firm will “provide government relations services” to advance “the long-term security of the people of Ukraine.”

A letter of agreement from MGS to the Ukrainian ministry obligates the Ukrainian government to pay MGS a $25,000 monthly fee, which will be funneled through Ukraine Freedom, a nonprofit organization.

The contract is good for one year, with payments beginning on Oct. 1, 2023 and concluding Sept. 30, 2024.

As stated on the group’s website, the organization’s fiscal sponsor is The San Diego County Prosperity Foundation, which has been active since 2013, according to federal filing forms.

According to the San Diego Prosperity Foundation, Ukraine Freedom has been a mechanism to deliver aid, handing out more than $1 million in aid, including 22 hospitals stocked with medical supplies; 110+ Ukrainians evacuated from hot spots; 200+ tons of food for civilians; 20 generators to families, villages and hospitals; 1500kw power bank and drone for war crimes investigators; 20 Chromebooks for children forced to attend class remotely because their schools were destroyed; and life-saving body armor and Starlink transceivers to the Eastern front.

Previously, Moran has been associated with more than a half dozen scandals, including allegations he supported laws that benefited those who provided financial favors to him, allegations of insider trading, and verbal and physical assault.