The president of the Brookings Establishment resigned Sunday amid a federal investigation into whether or not he illegally lobbied on behalf of the rich Persian Gulf nation of Qatar.
Retired Gen. John Allen wrote in a letter to the suppose tank that he was leaving with a “heavy coronary heart” however didn't supply a direct rationalization.
“I do know it's best for all involved on this second,” Allen’s letter stated.
A retired four-star Marine normal who led U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, Allen’s announcement got here lower than per week after the Related Press was first to report on new court docket filings that confirmed the FBI had seized Allen’s digital information as a part of the lobbying probe.
Allen has not been charged with any crimes and, via a spokesman, has denied any wrongdoing.
Brookings, which had put Allen on administrative depart the day after the AP’s preliminary report, issued a press release thanking Allen for guiding the suppose tank via the coronavirus pandemic and different contributions. The establishment stated details about the seek for a brand new president could be forthcoming.
The brand new court docket filings element Allen’s behind-the scenes efforts to assist Qatar affect U.S. coverage in June 2017 when a diplomatic disaster erupted between the gas-rich Persian Gulf monarchy and its neighbors.
An FBI agent stated in an affidavit in help of a search warrant there was “substantial proof” that Allen had knowingly damaged a international lobbying legislation, and had made false statements and withheld “incriminating” paperwork.
Allen’s alleged lobbying work concerned touring to Qatar and assembly with the nation’s high officers to supply them recommendation on learn how to affect U.S. coverage, in addition to selling Qatar’s viewpoint to high White Home officers and members of Congress, the FBI’s affidavit says.
The federal investigation involving Allen has already ensnared Richard G. Olson, a former ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan who pleaded responsible to federal costs earlier this month, and Imaad Zuberi, a prolific political donor now serving a 12-year jail sentence on corruption costs. A number of members of Congress have additionally been interviewed.
Brookings, one of the crucial prestigious suppose thanks within the U.S., had initially employed Allen as a senior fellow earlier than tapping him as president in late 2017 and paying him greater than $1 million a yr, in keeping with current tax information.
“The integrity and objectivity of Brookings’s scholarship represent the establishment’s principal belongings, and Brookings seeks to keep up excessive moral requirements in all its operations,” the suppose tank stated in its assertion Sunday.
Qatar has lengthy been a serious monetary backer of Brookings, although Allen determined in 2019 to cease taking any new donations from the nation.
Qatari officers haven't responded to requests for remark in regards to the Allen investigation.
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Suderman reported from Richmond, Virginia, Mustian from New Orleans.
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Contact AP’s world investigative crew at Investigative@ap.org or https://www.ap.org/ideas/
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