LOS ANGELES (AP) — Imaad Zuberi, an elite political fundraiser, had the ear of top Democrats and Republicans alike — a reach that included private meetings with then-Vice President Joe Biden and VIP access at Donald Trump’s inauguration. But federal prosecutors say Zuberi’s life was built on a series of lies and the lucrative enterprise of filling the campaign coffers of American politicians and profiting from the resulting influence. They describe him as a “mercenary” political donor who gave to anyone — often using foreign money given through illegal straw donors. An AP investigation based on a trove of documents, emails, and interviews found Zuberi took advantage of loosely regulated campaign finance and foreign lobbying laws to sell influence at the highest levels in Washington.
‘Mercenary’ donor sold access for millions in foreign money
