The FBI has seized the electronic data of former four-star Marine Gen. John R. Allen, who authorities say made false statements and withheld “incriminating” documents about his role in an illegal foreign lobbying campaign on behalf of Qatar, reports the Associated Press. New federal court filings outlined a potential criminal case against Allen as part of an expanding investigation involving a former ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan, a prolific political donor now serving a 12-year prison sentence on corruption charges, and several members of Congress.
The court filings detail Allen’s behind-the scenes efforts to help Qatar influence U.S. policy in 2017 when a diplomatic crisis erupted between the gas-rich Persian Gulf monarchy and its neighbors. Allen also allegedly misrepresented his role in the lobbying campaign to U.S. officials and failed to disclose “that he was simultaneously pursuing multimillion-dollar business deals with the government of Qatar.” Allen said his efforts on Qatar in 2017 were motivated to prevent a war from breaking out in the Gulf that would put U.S. troops at risk.