Trump’s Friend a Criminal? No, That Can’t Be

About a year ago, I asked a wealthy friend for some advice on an investment, and he suggested that I buy stock in the private equity firm Colony Capital.  A few minutes on Google was sufficient to turn up that the company’s CEO was Tom Barrack, a very close friend of Donald Trump, and so I had to tell my friend that, on an ethical basis, I wouldn’t be getting involved.

As it turns out, and what a surprise it is, Barrack is on his way to prison.  It’s very clear that he illegally lobbied Trump on behalf of the United Arab Emirates.

He was released after his arrest, and trial is set for September, in the unlikely event that a plea agreement isn’t reached.