Retired Marine Common John Allen resigned as president of the Brookings Institute after he was accused of obstructing an FBI investigation into an alleged lobbying marketing campaign for Qatar.
EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Common John R. Allen has stepped down as president of the Brookings Establishment after he was accused of mendacity and obstructing an FBI probe related to an unlawful lobbying marketing campaign for Qatar.
The retired four-star Marine, who grew to become Brookings president in 2017, stated in his resignation letter that he leaves the analysis institute with a “heavy coronary heart,” in line with Accountable Statecraft.
“I do know it's best for all involved on this second,” he stated in his resignation letter that was obtained and posted by the net journal of the Quincy Institute, which advocates for diplomacy and army restraint.
The departure comes after he was positioned on go away by Brookings Wednesday following explosive allegations that he made false statements and withheld “incriminating” paperwork from the FBI throughout its investigation into whether or not he labored behind the scenes to affect US overseas coverage in favor of the small Persian Gulf nation, in line with courtroom paperwork.
His digital information was seized by the FBI as a part of the investigation.
Allen allegedly lobbied US officers to assist Qatar in 2017 throughout a diplomatic disaster between the monarchy and its neighbors whereas “concurrently pursuing multi-million greenback enterprise offers with the federal government of Qatar,” violating the Overseas Brokers Registration Act [FARA], FBI agent Babak Adib wrote in a search warrant software, obtained by the Related Press.
The FBI says Allen gave a “false model of occasions” about his work for Qatar throughout a 2020 interview with regulation enforcement officers and failed to provide related e mail messages in response to an earlier grand jury subpoena.
Allen has denied being an agent of Qatar and his spokesperson stated the previous normal “voluntarily cooperated with the federal government’s investigation into this matter.”
“Gen. Allen has completed nothing improper or illegal, has by no means acted as an agent of Qatar or any overseas authorities or principal, and has by no means obstructed justice,” spokesperson Beau Phillips instructed Fox Information Digital. “By a long time of public service in fight and diplomacy, Common Allen has earned an unmatched, sterling status for honor and integrity.”
The Brookings Establishment, an influential suppose tank, lately stopped taking Qatari funding after the rich nation was considered one of Brooking’s main monetary backers.
Allen, the previous commander of the US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, was positioned on go away June 8 by Brookings. The establishment stated the “integrity and objectivity of Brookings students and their analysis represent the establishment’s principal belongings.”
“Brookings isn't the topic of a federal investigation into a private journey Allen took to Qatar in 2017 earlier than he grew to become president of the establishment. Brookings receives no funds from the federal government of Qatar,” the establishment stated in an announcement saying Allen was positioned on go away. “Brookings acquired funding from Qatar up to now to assist operations for analysis and occasions. In early 2019, Brookings determined it will not renew funding from the nation and would shut its Brookings Doha Middle, established in 2007. The choice to shut the Brookings Doha Middle was concurrent with the choice to transition all of Brookings’s overseas facilities.”
In an e mail to staffers Sunday, Brookings co-chairs Glenn Hutchins and Suzanne Nora Johnson stated senior financial fellow Ted Gayer can be appearing president.
Allen was thanked for his “management in efficiently guiding the establishment throughout the pandemic, in addition to his a few years of service and sacrifice for our nation,” within the notice.
Allen’s resignation letter, obtained by Accountable Statecraft, doesn’t straight tackle the swirling allegations, however he does notice in it his service to the US.
“I spent forty-five years in devoted service to the American individuals and United States, serving our nation and our valuable residents in peace, disaster, and struggle,” he wrote. “I did so with the best sense of humility and satisfaction in having been a part of one thing better than myself.”
With Submit wires.
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