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Person

Tony Podesta

Occupation:

Lobbyist

Political Operative

Founder, The Podesta Group (defunct)
Spouse:

Heather Podesta (div. 2014)

Tony Podesta is a Democratic lobbyist and political operative. He was the co-founder of the Podesta Group, a now-defunct political affairs firm in Washington, D.C. that he co-founded with his brother, Clinton operative John Podesta.

In 2021, Chinese telecommunications company Huawei hired Podesta as a consultant. Huawei is a controversial company that the Department of Justice has charged with violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) because of its business dealings with Iran and North Korea despite sanctions against the countries. 1 Huawei is widely considered to be involved with espionage efforts on the part of the Chinese government. 2 Politico reported that Podesta will “aim to help the controversial Chinese telecom giant warm relations with the Biden Administration.” 3

Lobbying disclosure forms show that Huawei paid Podesta $500,000 exclusively to lobby the Whitehouse between July and September of 2021. 4

References

  1. “Chinese Telecommunications Conglomerate Huawei and SUBSIDIARIES Charged in Racketeering Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Steal Trade Secrets.” The United States Department of Justice. United States DoJ Office of Public Affairs, February 13, 2020. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/chinese-telecommunications-conglomerate-huawei-and-subsidiaries-charged-racketeering.
  2. Dilanian, Ken. “U.S. Officials: USING Huawei Tech Opens Door to CHINESE SPYING, CENSORSHIP.” NBCNews.com. NBCUniversal News Group, February 14, 2020. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/u-s-officials-using-huawei-tech-opens-door-chinese-spying-n1136956.
  3. Swan, Betsy Woodruff, and Daniel Lippman. “Huawei Hiring Former Democratic Super Lobbyist Tony Podesta.” POLITICO. POLITICO, July 23, 2021. https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/23/huawei-hires-tony-podesta-500649.
  4. Schwartz, Brian. “Blacklisted Chinese Tech Giant Huawei Paid Tony Podesta $500,000 to Lobby the White House.” CNBC. CNBC, October 21, 2021. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/21/huawei-paid-tony-podesta-500000-to-lobby-white-house.html?__source=sharebar%7Ctwitter&par=sharebar.
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