9/25/2023, 3:10:00 AM | ZeroHedge | news
Hunter Biden Wanted To Lobby Sen. Bob Menendez On Behalf Of Foreign Client
Hunter Biden and his investment firm, Rosemont Seneca Partners, allegedly lobbied U.S. transportation officials on behalf of Spanish rail company Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) to secure government contracts. Emails found on Biden's laptop reveal that Rosemont Seneca was hired by CAF in June 2010 to lobby the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Amtrak, including arranging meetings between CAF and DOT officials. A $298.1 million contract was awarded to CAF’s U.S. subsidiary in July 2010 for manufacturing 130 rail cars in Elmira, New York. Hunter Biden and his business partner Eric Schwerin reportedly negotiated a 'success fee' of over $800,000 for securing the contract, with Schwerin proposing to congratulate CAF’s CEO and send a letter to memorialize the arrangement. Schwerin also contacted Sen. Bob Menendez’s office, including speaking with Chief-of-Staff Daniel O'Brien, due to Menendez’s role in the U.S.-Spain Council. The relationship between Biden and O'Brien appears to have been personal and ongoing, with emails showing their interactions dating back to 2010. Hunter Biden expressed frustration that the success fee was not realized, stating it should be at least $250,000 and tied to a 20% share of the deal. In September 2010, Rosemont and SKDK lobbyists scheduled a meeting with DOT official Peter Rogoff to influence policy. Sen. Menendez resigned as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in September 2010 following his felony indictment.