Feds Charge Russian-American Citizen Who Ran Russian Propaganda Center in NYC as Foreign Agent – ​​NBC New York

A woman who ran a Russia propaganda center in New York City was charged Tuesday with acting as an unregistered foreign agent for the Russian government.

Elena Branson, who has US and Russian citizenship, received thousands of dollars from the Russian government earmarked for propaganda through the New York Russian Center, which she founded in 2012, according to the federal investigation.

Branson, 61, received a total of $173,000 between August 2013 and November 2019 in connection with his work at the center. She is charged with acting and conspiring as an agent of the Russian government, by knowingly failing to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (“FARA”), as well as conspiring to commit visa fraud and making false statements to the FBI, a statement read. press release issued by the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

According to the complaint, beginning at least in 2011, Branson worked on behalf of the Russian government and its officials to promote Russian interests in the United States. He even coordinated meetings to allow Russian officials to pressure US politicians and businessmen, according to the investigation.

Branson used his organizations to publicly promote Russian government policies, but without notifying the Attorney General as required by law.

The Russian Center in New York reportedly coordinated activities such as the “I Love Russia” campaign aimed at young Americans.

Branson also serves as president of the Council of the Russian Community of the United States, an organization with the goal of “[apoyar] organizations of Russian compatriots, to preserve and popularize the Russian language and cultural and historical heritage in the United States,” according to the website.

Branson even invited Donald Trump or one of his sons to a “New York Russia Forum” in 2016, though there is no evidence that Trump or any family member attended.

Prosecutors say Branson, who left the United States for Russia in 2020 and is still at large, corresponded with high-ranking Russian officials, including Vladimir Putin, about his campaign as Russia increased its propaganda efforts in the country.

The New York Russian Center also pressured officials in Hawaii not to change the name of a former Russian fort, Fort Elizabeth, on the island of Kauai, and organized a trip for Hawaiian officials to meet Russian delegates in Moscow.

Branson is also accused of helping others avoid registering as foreign agents, according to the investigation.

While none of Branson’s educational or diplomatic activities are illegal, all US agents of foreign governments must disclose their affiliation to the Department of Justice.

“Meanwhile, Branson knew he was supposed to register as an agent of the Russian government, but chose not to and instead instructed others on how to avoid the same thing even though it was illegal,” prosecutor Damian Williams said.

“Given current global events in particular, the need to detect and thwart attempts at foreign influence is paramount, and the Southern District of New York is proud to do its part in the fight against tyranny,” added Williams.

During an interview with the FBI in September 2020, Branson said that he had never been asked by Russian officials to arrange meetings with American officials.

The following month, while speaking to a Russian state-controlled television station, Branson said she left the United States because she thought she would most likely be arrested.

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