Ex-Top Aide to NY Governor Arrested on Foreign Agent Charges

Federal authorities arrested the former top aide to former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Saturday, charging him as an unregistered foreign agent for allegedly working for a Ukrainian oligarch to advance the country’s interests in the United States

Sidebar: Who is Sidney David Schwartz?

* Sidney David Schwartz, who served as Senior Advisor and Special Assistant to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo from 2013 to 2018, was arrested on Saturday. * Schwartz is married to a Ukrainian-born Lviv native. * His family's jewelry store -- A. Shaw -- is located in Staten Island, New York.

The former top aide to former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo was arrested on Saturday and accused of breaking federal law by acting as an unregistered foreign agent for a Ukrainian oligarch, according to the FBI.

A US citizen named Sidney David Schwartz was arrested at JFK airport on Saturday and charged with failing to register as a foreign agent and obstructing the lawful function of the US Department of State. Schwartz is alleged to have worked as an agent for Ukrainian oligarch Vadim Rabinovich without registering with the Justice Department, as is required of foreign agents under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

Rabinovich, whose estimated net worth is $600 million, was a member of the Ukrainian parliament and still wields considerable political and economic power in his home country. Rabinovich became a Ukrainian citizen in 2019 and once owned one of the country’s largest oil and gas companies, VETEK.

According to prosecutors, Schwartz was recruited by Rabinovich in 2018 to use his connections with US politicians and media figures to advance Rabinovich's personal interests, including facilitating meetings between Rabinovich and elected officials and promoting positive media coverage of Rabinovich. Schwartz allegedly agreed to act as an unregistered foreign agent for Rabinovich in exchange for more than $260,000 in cash and other benefits.

Schwartz, who is scheduled to appear in Manhattan federal court on Sunday, faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison on the FARA charge and 20 years on the obstruction charge.

The arrest of Sidney David Schwartz is the latest sign of the increasing scrutiny of foreign influence in US politics, especially in light of the Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Key Points to Remember:

• Sidney David Schwartz, a former aide to former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, was arrested on foreign agent charges.
• Schwartz is accused of working as an unregistered foreign agent for a Ukrainian oligarch named Vadim Rabinovich.
• Schwartz allegedly received over $260,000 for his work as an agent, which included facilitating meetings between Rabinovich and US politicians and media figures.
• The arrest of Sidney David Schwartz is the latest sign of the increasing scrutiny of foreign influence in US politics.

Conclusion:

The arrest of Sidney David Schwartz is a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in US politics. It is essential that foreign agents register with the Justice Department and disclose their work so the public can be aware and hold them to account.