The Podesta Group, a D.C.-based lobbying and public relations outfit founded by Tony Podesta, brother of John Podesta, the current special advisor to the Obama administration, has been the registered agent of the Azerbaijani Embassy for several years. On January 1, 2014, the group inked a new agreement to receive $50,000 a month from the embassy, plus expenses to provide “strategic counsel to Azerbaijan on strengthening its ties to the United States government and institutions.” This agreement, which was signed by Elin Suleymanov, the Azerbaijani ambassador to the United States, and Anthony Podesta, the head of the Podesta Group, was amended on April 15, 2014, to encompass “additional services” defined as performing “public relations services for Azerbaijan.” It is good through July 14, 2014.
Foreign Policy contacted the Podesta Group for comment about the nature of its contract with the embassy. We were referred to the FARA filings. We also asked if the firm had any reservations about lobbying on behalf of a foreign government seen by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and other international monitors as becoming worse, not better, in its respect for human rights norms. We were informed that someone from the “Azerbaijan desk” would respond to our inquiry. No one ever did.
BGR SIGNS AZERBAIJAN: Azerbaijan is beefing up its representation in Washington, signing BGR Government Affairs on a $50,000 per month retainer. BGR’s work “will include strategic guidance and counsel with regard to government affairs and public relations activity within the U.S.,” according to a DOJ filing. Azerbaijan also renewed its contracted with the Podesta Group, which has represented the Azerbaijani government since 2013. (Podesta’s retainer is $45,000 per month.) The filings come as Azerbaijan is in the spotlight, following Adam Davidson’s piece in The New Yorker earlier this month that detailed President Donald Trump’s sketchy hotel deal in the country.
Hard hitting journalism there
The scoundrels trying to open a hotel you say??
With a grandfather and father both being pedophiles, you can bet Matthew Freud is more than likely connected to trafficking. Saving some of the best for himself. Another disgusting pervert. It is a well know fact that pedophiles really hate children, as I have read on here in articles and reports. Another reason to use them and abuse them and make money off of them as well. This screams Freud and Podestas.
Of course there's a relationship. Thank you for the post. Matthew Feud who runs Freud Communications is the son of pedophile Clement Freud who invited the McCann parents to his home in Portugal shortly after their daughter disappeared. I believe he knows the Podestas well too. I never really believed before that the McCann's case was connected to the Podestas but this is all too well connected. It's mind boggling.
palmitespo910 ago
I've never heard of Azerbaijan in my life.
equineluvr ago
From linked article --
The Podesta Group, a D.C.-based lobbying and public relations outfit founded by Tony Podesta, brother of John Podesta, the current special advisor to the Obama administration, has been the registered agent of the Azerbaijani Embassy for several years. On January 1, 2014, the group inked a new agreement to receive $50,000 a month from the embassy, plus expenses to provide “strategic counsel to Azerbaijan on strengthening its ties to the United States government and institutions.” This agreement, which was signed by Elin Suleymanov, the Azerbaijani ambassador to the United States, and Anthony Podesta, the head of the Podesta Group, was amended on April 15, 2014, to encompass “additional services” defined as performing “public relations services for Azerbaijan.” It is good through July 14, 2014.
Foreign Policy contacted the Podesta Group for comment about the nature of its contract with the embassy. We were referred to the FARA filings. We also asked if the firm had any reservations about lobbying on behalf of a foreign government seen by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and other international monitors as becoming worse, not better, in its respect for human rights norms. We were informed that someone from the “Azerbaijan desk” would respond to our inquiry. No one ever did.
peacebringer ago
freud communications, how fitting...
sugarskull ago
Birds of a feather lobby together!
DonKeyhote ago
They literally just renewed the podest contract a couple weeks ago too.
http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/politico-influence/2017/03/bgr-signs-azerbaijan-219368
BGR SIGNS AZERBAIJAN: Azerbaijan is beefing up its representation in Washington, signing BGR Government Affairs on a $50,000 per month retainer. BGR’s work “will include strategic guidance and counsel with regard to government affairs and public relations activity within the U.S.,” according to a DOJ filing. Azerbaijan also renewed its contracted with the Podesta Group, which has represented the Azerbaijani government since 2013. (Podesta’s retainer is $45,000 per month.) The filings come as Azerbaijan is in the spotlight, following Adam Davidson’s piece in The New Yorker earlier this month that detailed President Donald Trump’s sketchy hotel deal in the country.
Hard hitting journalism there The scoundrels trying to open a hotel you say??
UnicornsAndSparkles ago
The circumstantial evidence is just depressing.
Excellent digging!
42times5 ago
It just never ends. I find myself eyeing up big, container carrying trucks on a regular basis. So depressing.
peacebringer ago
When you start the pulling and tracing of threads, well it is not pretty, I believe.
AssFaceSandwich2 ago
Wow, they have to be connected.
carmencita ago
With a grandfather and father both being pedophiles, you can bet Matthew Freud is more than likely connected to trafficking. Saving some of the best for himself. Another disgusting pervert. It is a well know fact that pedophiles really hate children, as I have read on here in articles and reports. Another reason to use them and abuse them and make money off of them as well. This screams Freud and Podestas.
The_Crux ago
This shows Azerbaijan is the biggest child sex trafficking country in the world.
https://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/countries/2014/226674.htm
There is only one nation listed on Freuds as a client. Azerbaijan. https://www.freuds.com/clients . Podesta Group wiki page: Azerbaijan gets a whole paragraph. Doing public relations for them is a full time Podesta Group activity https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podesta_Group
It's almost like there is a relationship between the two lobbying firms.
cantsleepawink ago
Of course there's a relationship. Thank you for the post. Matthew Feud who runs Freud Communications is the son of pedophile Clement Freud who invited the McCann parents to his home in Portugal shortly after their daughter disappeared. I believe he knows the Podestas well too. I never really believed before that the McCann's case was connected to the Podestas but this is all too well connected. It's mind boggling.
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