Federal Prosecutors Investigating Conservative Spy Ring in Wyoming Infiltrating Democratic Groups

Federal prosecutors are currently investigating Republican efforts in Wyoming to infiltrate the Democratic National Committee during the 2020 election cycle.

According to the New York Times, there is evidence of an “undercover operation by conservatives to infiltrate progressive groups, political campaigns, and the offices of Democratic as well as moderate Republican elected officials” in 2020.

The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C.

Prosecutors have already subpoenaed former British intelligence official Richard Seddon and Republican donor Susan Gore, who is the heiress to the Gore-Tex fortune. Investigators are seeking to find out if any campaign finance laws were violated.

Seddon allegedly worked with Gore in 2018 to secure funding and train activists to infiltrate Wyoming political groups.

There are currently two known operatives, Sophia LaRocca and Beau Maier, who pledged substantial donations of up to $20,000 to Democratic organizations. They also made donations to personal campaigns, such as that of Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Arizona) and Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold. These efforts resulted in the operatives’ invitation to various Democratic fundraisers and to a Democratic primary debate in Las Vegas.

It is still unclear how much information the operatives gathered. However, the intelligence-gathering techniques that were utilized suggest that they received very high-level training.

Investigators are unsure where the operatives got their money and are contemplating the possibility of straw donor prosecutions, which are brought about when a person receives money for the purpose of making a contribution in their own name.

One of the recent subpoenas requests documents and communications from January 2018 onward that involve limited liability companies and individuals. Seddon and Gore have both secured lawyers, both of which have represented multiple high-profile clients. Both have declined to comment on the case.

Inquiries are still being examined and no person has been charged with any wrongdoing.

Article by Ava Lombardi