A new report details new information about alleged business ties between President Joe Biden's brother Jim Biden and the government of Qatar.
According to recent evidence, politiko In a Kentucky bankruptcy court, fund manager Michael Lewitt, a former business partner of Jim Biden, has been accused of holding Platinum Group USA, which was involved in efforts to raise money for Jim Biden's U.S. health care business. and Obamayear Engineering Consulting, which the lawsuit alleges were “partly owned by members.” of the Qatari government. ” If true, these alleged arrangements would be the closest financial relationship between a president's family and a foreign government.
The first company named during Lewitt's testimony was directly affiliated with Jim Biden's fundraising efforts. The second company “provided financial backing for a series of loans that the hospital chain paid Jim Biden to arrange.”
Jim Biden is said to have received funding from Qatari sources for his U.S. venture months after Biden resigned as vice president in the Obama administration. The outlet said there were public documents and emails showing that Jim Biden was looking for ways to circumvent restrictions on international money transfers.
In February, Jim Biden hinted to Congressional investigators that he was halting the effort “due to a lack of viable projects.” LeWitt's testimony suggests that Jim Biden's ties to the Qatari government are deeper than previously known. Lewitt is scheduled to have a scheduled meeting with House impeachment investigators, but no date has been set.
Qatar was in a period of diplomatic uncertainty when Jim Biden began soliciting funding for a health care project that was working closely with Amecore. In 2017, neighboring countries severed diplomatic relations with the Middle Eastern country over suspicions of supporting terrorism. Therefore, Qatar began to strengthen its relations with the United States and European countries.
Jim Biden has teamed up with Amar Rustom, CEO of Platinum Group, which has ties to the Middle East and Louitt. Jim Biden and Rustom then drafted a letter to Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority, boasting about their family connections.
“My family will provide you with a wealth of introductions and business opportunities at the highest levels that we believe are worthy of Your Excellency's attention,” and, “On behalf of the Biden family, we welcome your interest here.” To do.”
Fundraising efforts began to gain momentum in 2018 when Jim's wife, Sarah Biden, emailed Platinum Group executive Julie Lander with a draft presentation to potential investors. .
“I am following up on my meeting with the Minister,” Lander wrote. “Your approach to him was perfect. He asked for more information about Amecore.”
During the presentation, she said Amecore was looking for “$30 million in funding to acquire the hospital,” and also referred to Jim Biden as “former Vice President Joe Biden's brother and campaign finance chairman.” ” he also said.
Louitt's investment fund, Third Friday, made a series of loans to Amecore to keep the company afloat until the $30 million arrived.
However, Amecore's fundraising efforts faced obstacles due to legal issues that arose when it came to moving investments across borders. Jim Biden said Rustom and LeWitt were “awaiting World Bank approval.”
He then expressed his dissatisfaction with the obstacles to Rustom.
“The $30 million commitment was committed more than two months ago, and we took action assuming that available credit facility,” he wrote. “I completely understand what happened in the interim, but the fact remains that $5 million at this point is critical to getting us through the big picture.”
according to politiko“Jim Biden and LeWitt visited Qatar as part of a fundraising campaign in mid-2018, but it is unclear whether any talks took place between Jim Biden and then Qatari Finance Minister Ali Sharif Al Emadi. isn't it.”
LeWitt expressed confidence that the loan to Amecore would soon be repaid through funds from Dubai.
LeWitt said, “Nothing changes about what I do in America, because I'm equally responsible for Dubai $$$, but with the added worry of being driven through the desert…lol )” he wrote.
Fundraising efforts have been the subject of various legal disputes.
Click here to read the full Washington Examiner article
In 2022, investors in Mr. Lewitt's company sued him, accusing him of embezzling funds through Amecore to Jim Biden and others. A federal court in Florida was investigating Third Friday's loans to Amecore, along with other deals involving Jim Biden, Louitt, Rustom and Platinum Group. Louitt and the Rustom brothers are also embroiled in commercial disputes.
of washington examiner The White House and Jim Biden's lawyers have been contacted for comment.
