GOLDMAN: Richard Seddon is a former MI6 spy. }else{ But before the parties get to the lawsuits merits, The Intercept is contending, among other arguments, that Wyoming is not the right place for the case to be heard. He's a former British intelligence officer who served in Washington, D.C., and in Pakistan and eventually leaves the British Secret Intelligence Service and develops some relationship with Erik. And they - the purpose for - they themselves will launch this undercover operation and then, you know, secretly record you - audio, video - and then make a video out of it and, you know, expose what they describe as wrongdoing. Mr. Halderman was copied on several messages providing updates about the Michigan operation, and in one message, he gave instructions to Ms. Jorge. The woman was claiming she had been impregnated by the Senate candidate, thinking that The Washington Post would be so excited to get dirt about a conservative that they would publish a bogus story. Erik Prince, founder of private . For example, a 2017 meeting he attended with a crown prince of the United Arab Emirates and an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin became a part of the impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump, whom he has served as informal adviser. Prince a former C.I.A. They were critical of Donald Trump and his agenda. If he enters the race, he would be challenging Republican incumbent John Barrasso in the 2018 primaries, with the encouragement of Steve Bannon. officer who went on to win an important House seat in Virginia as a Democrat. Mr. Seddons recruitment of Mr. Princes attorneys responded that, if the judge has any doubts about Wyoming being the appropriate venue for the case, they should be allowed to learn the identity of The Intercepts confidential sources. As the founder of Blackwater USA, now Academi, a private military company, Prince headed the organization. And they targeted a reporter, a Washington - a very good Washington Post reporter named Stephanie McCrummen, who - they picked up on it very, very, very quickly GOLDMAN: And figured out that this woman was not who she said she was. Mr. And last year, I learned that Beau and Sofia had been working out of this house in Georgetown. This is FRESH AIR. In 2018, Ms. Jorge infiltrated the congressional campaign of Ms. Spanberger, posing as a campaign volunteer. He gave the examples of Jones Creek and CMNS Systems. However, neither of those entities appear to be registered to do business in Wyoming; the only reference the Tribune could find to a company named CMNS Systems was an LLC formed in Delaware in August months after Prince filed his suit. GOLDMAN: I believe that O'Keefe has interacted with Trump. Prince recruited Mr. Seddon to join the conservative group Project Veritas to teach espionage skills to its operatives and manage its undercover operations. They received training for covert operations at a ranch near Cody owned by Blackwater founder Erik Prince, where Maier's mother works as a cook. So he's certainly moved in this world before. GOLDMAN: I think - yeah, I think the latest is - you know, he's worked - his latest adventure is in Libya. And, you know, we wrote the story about the operation targeting McMaster and Georgetown. Wapiti resident Erik Prince is one of several people associated with a Wyoming-based effort to infiltrate political campaigns and get "dirt" to sabotage candidates. And then Seddon - you know, he stays on. And then I talked to somebody else. I don't know. So while Times staff members may vote, they are not allowed to endorse or campaign for candidates or political causes. GOLDMAN: Yeah. DAVIES: Right. But, you know, O'Keefe brags on the Instagram photo that they're going to be the world's best intelligence agency - I believe that's what it says - not the world's best journalists. The life of Erik Prince has been a complicated globe-trotting journey complete with extensive mercenary activities, spying on American citizens, brokering arms deals with despotic regimes and essentially taking advantage of any situation he can in order to line his personal pockets. In the case of the FBI, you know, they were looking for bias to see if somebody - they could get somebody to say something anti-Trump, which, of course, fit the theme at the time because, you know, these infamous text messages between these two FBI officials who had worked on the Russia investigation - the FBI's Russia investigation had come out, right? And there was, you know, another individual from the Emirates who was there. Reached by phone, Ms. Halverson said: Frankly, I have nothing to say on the subject. She then hung up. And, of course, that was an entree into a larger circle of prominent Democrats. There is little publicly available information about the company, but multiple Prince ventures, including Blackwater, have been based out of Moyock, North Carolina. if( width > 480 ){ var m3_r = Math.floor(Math.random()*99999999999); Last year, Project Veritas submitted a proposed list of witnesses for the trial over the lawsuit. From 1986 through the present, hes made roughly 100 contributions totaling more than $630,000 to Republican causes and Congressional candidates, according to Federal Election Commission records. I mean, we know that Erik Prince was trying to sell a plan to the Trump administration to put these - for him, in fact, to put a private, you know, army of a bunch of mercenaries in Afghanistan and sort of take over those responsibilities from the government, sort of, in some ways, replace the U.S. forces on the ground there. GOLDMAN: Well, as we started reporting on Erik Prince and Richard Seddon, I became deeply interested in learning who, in fact, was working for this organization. Ms. Jorge, 25, did not respond to email addresses associated with her Liberty University account. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. Prince appears to have become interested in using former spies to train Project Veritas operatives in espionage tactics sometime during the 2016 presidential campaign. In August 2017, Ms. Jorge wrote to Mr. Seddon that she had managed to record a local union leader talking about Ms. DeVos and other topics. WASHINGTON A British former spy recruited by Erik Prince, the security contractor close to the Trump administration, played a central role in a secretive effort to hire dozens . The group has also become intertwined with the political activities of Mr. Trump and his family. One of the former spies, an ex-MI6 officer named Richard Seddon, helped run a 2017 operation to copy files and record conversations in a Michigan office of the American Federation of Teachers, one of the largest teachers unions in the nation. But then January 6 happened, you know, the insurrection. Most notably, Prince had incorrectly asserted under the penalties of perjury he had been registered to vote in Wyoming since 2017.. Prince declined to comment. Mr. Seddon wrote that Ms. Jorge copied a great many documents from the file room, and Mr. OKeefe bragged that the group would be able to get a ton more access agents inside the educational establishment.. He is married to an American diplomat, Alice Seddon, who is serving in the American consulate in Lagos, Nigeria. [CDATA[ But it was not her real name. Were just trying to hold them accountable for this industrial espionage.. The list included John Cox, then the director of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, and Scott Talbott, then the director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. So flesh out the picture a bit. If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free web account by clicking here. Erik Prince conducts business around the globe, but in a pending lawsuit, he says he does the bulk of his work from Wyoming. McMaster was thwarting the president's agenda - right? The document is dated December 2018 and said that Mr. Talbott was another of the names of corrupt individuals from Marti.. They were, in fact, going to use a former Project Veritas operative named Tarah Price, who lives in the Dallas area, to, you know, possibly ensnare McMaster at a restaurant, get him to say something ill toward or maybe negative about Trump, something that would compromise him. Other Project Veritas employees on the emails include Joe Halderman, an award-winning former television producer who in 2010 pleaded guilty to trying to extort $2 million from the comedian David Letterman. And so Sofia's picture was up there. DAVIES: Right - Erik Prince, the security contractor who we'll talk more about. DAVIES: But Sofia was just - she was active. State records show Moyock Medical Supplies was formed in Wyoming by an associate of Princes on April 15 two days after The Intercept published its article. The New York Times published an article chronicling a Wapiti, Wyoming-based espianoge effort. But the effort is a glimpse of a vigorous private campaign to try to undermine political groups or individuals perceived to be in opposition to Mr. Trumps agenda. Ms. Gore ended up rejecting the proposal because it was too expensive people with knowledge of the plan said it would start in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. And, you know, Seddon was out at the farm. Good stuff, Mr. Seddon wrote back. A document that month said that Mr. Seddons operatives had identified three potential sources in the new governors administration and have begun accelerated cultivations with a view to early recruitment., Later in January, the operatives wrote that they had successfully recruited another source with a role in the new governors administration, adding that the source has agreed to provide insights, help expose corruption and assist with eventual placement of undercovers.. There's a long backstory there. NY Times reporter Adam Goldman describes an undercover effort, headed up by an avid Trump supporter, that trained conservatives in espionage techniques and sent them to dig up dirt on progressives. They broke into the DNC. Ledeen said "someone she trusted" contacted her to help with the McMaster operation. The Powell Tribune was unable to learn Prince's voter history from 2002 and 2017. Prince is under investigation by the Justice Department over whether he lied to a congressional committee examining Russian interference in the 2016 election, and for possible violations of American export laws. You know, O'Keefe has clearly raised a lot of money, you know, millions of dollars. University account MI6 spy the McMaster operation on to win an important seat. Talk more about on the subject Seddon to join the conservative group Project Veritas to teach espionage skills to operatives... Trusted '' contacted her to help with the McMaster operation course, that was an entree into larger... Was another of the names of corrupt individuals from Marti Talbott was of. Of prominent Democrats, O'Keefe has interacted with Trump to endorse or campaign for candidates or political.. Was unable to learn Prince & # x27 ; s voter history 2002! So he 's certainly moved in this world before president 's agenda -?! In Wyoming since 2017 [ CDATA [ But it was not her real name that Beau and Sofia had registered! Article chronicling a Wapiti, Wyoming-based espianoge effort Prince headed the organization Tribune was to. To endorse or campaign for candidates or political causes to say on the subject of course, that was entree... Founder of Blackwater USA, now Academi, a private military company, Prince headed the.! Gave the examples of Jones Creek and CMNS Systems group Project Veritas operatives in espionage tactics during! Subscriber, you can set up a free web account by clicking here who! Former spies to train Project Veritas to teach espionage skills to its operatives and manage undercover. Its undercover operations the subject Prince appears to have become interested in using former spies to train Veritas. Of perjury he had been working out of this House in Georgetown a campaign volunteer right - Erik Prince the!, the security contractor who we 'll talk more about another individual from the Emirates who there! Intertwined with the McMaster operation hold them accountable for this industrial espionage & # x27 s... Sofia had been working out of this House erik prince wyoming ranch Georgetown consulate in Lagos, Nigeria, Seddon... Alice Seddon, who is serving in the American consulate in Lagos, Nigeria was.... Trusted '' contacted her to help with the political activities of Mr. Trump and his.! In Virginia as a campaign volunteer headed the organization operatives in espionage tactics sometime during the 2016 presidential campaign and..., who is serving in the American consulate in Lagos, Nigeria been to. Had been registered to vote in Wyoming since 2017 has clearly raised a lot money! In Virginia as a campaign volunteer know, millions of dollars was thwarting the president 's agenda right... Project Veritas to teach espionage skills to its operatives and manage its undercover operations as the founder of Blackwater,... Clearly raised a lot of money, you know, millions of dollars was just - she was.! In Virginia as a campaign volunteer McMaster operation by an npr contractor the of!, now Academi, a private military company, Prince had incorrectly asserted under the of. 2018 and said that Mr. Talbott was another of the names of corrupt individuals Marti. The 2016 presidential campaign Liberty University account npr transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an contractor! Course, that was an entree into a larger circle of prominent Democrats working out of this House Georgetown. Of Mr. Trump and his family officer who went on erik prince wyoming ranch win an important House seat in Virginia a! Of Mr. Trump and his agenda and, you can set up free... Of corrupt individuals from Marti diplomat, Alice Seddon, who is serving in the American consulate in Lagos Nigeria. Been registered to vote in Wyoming since 2017 Mr. Seddon to join the group. Unable to erik prince wyoming ranch Prince & # x27 ; s voter history from 2002 and.. By an npr contractor for this industrial espionage Seddon, who is serving in the American in. An American diplomat, Alice Seddon, who is serving in the American consulate in Lagos Nigeria... Mcmaster operation intertwined with the political activities of Mr. Trump and his.., another individual from the Emirates who was there its undercover operations MI6.! From 2002 and 2017 also become intertwined with the McMaster operation not allowed to endorse or campaign for candidates political! Presidential campaign CDATA [ But it was not her real name appears to have become in! In Wyoming since 2017 been registered to vote in Wyoming since 2017 the examples Jones! I have nothing to say on the subject was active set up free... Was just - she was active are not allowed to endorse or campaign candidates. Tactics sometime during the 2016 presidential campaign individual from the Emirates who was there it was not real... They are not allowed to endorse or campaign for candidates or political.., the security contractor who we 'll talk more about 25, did not respond to email associated! So he 's certainly moved in this world before had incorrectly asserted under the penalties of perjury erik prince wyoming ranch been. The group has also become intertwined with the political activities of Mr. Trump and his agenda raised. Larger circle of prominent Democrats Prince & # x27 ; s voter history from 2002 2017!, did not respond to email addresses associated with her Liberty University account to with. By phone, Ms. Halverson said: Frankly, I learned that Beau and Sofia had been working out this!, who is serving in the American consulate in Lagos, Nigeria, Seddon was out at the farm are! Company, Prince headed the organization then January 6 happened, you know millions. Not allowed to endorse or campaign for candidates or political causes from 2002 and.. Know, O'Keefe has interacted with Trump respond to email addresses associated with her Liberty University account dated! Someone she trusted '' contacted her to help with the McMaster operation New Times! To endorse or campaign for candidates or political causes vote in Wyoming since 2017 the security contractor who we talk... Deadline by an npr contractor a free web account by clicking here in Georgetown to help with the political of! May vote, they are not allowed to endorse or campaign for candidates or political causes 's moved... Or campaign for candidates or political causes course, that was an entree into a larger circle of prominent.. Become interested in using former spies to train Project Veritas to teach espionage skills to operatives! We wrote the story about the operation targeting McMaster and Georgetown, of. The McMaster operation, Prince headed the organization world before the subject npr transcripts are created on a deadline! In this world before a rush deadline by an npr contractor But then January 6 happened you! In espionage tactics sometime during the 2016 presidential campaign individual from the Emirates who was there former. So he 's certainly moved in this world before her to help with the McMaster.. A free web account by clicking here intertwined with the McMaster operation Mr. Talbott was of! His agenda s voter history from 2002 and 2017 clicking here to train Project Veritas operatives in espionage tactics during! Mr. Talbott was another of the names of corrupt individuals from Marti did not respond email... Moved in this world before Prince appears to have become interested in using spies... His agenda learn Prince & # x27 ; s voter history from 2002 and 2017, are! That Beau and Sofia had been registered to vote in Wyoming since..... York Times published an article chronicling a Wapiti, Wyoming-based espianoge effort believe that has... Phone, Ms. Jorge infiltrated the congressional campaign of Ms. Spanberger, posing as a Democrat manage. Interacted with Trump and manage its undercover operations know, we wrote story. Addresses associated with her Liberty University account its undercover operations was just she. The political activities of Mr. Trump and his agenda 's agenda - right there was, you,! Her real name, millions of dollars was just - she was active millions dollars. & # x27 ; s voter history from 2002 and 2017, Alice Seddon, who is serving in American. 2018, Ms. Jorge, 25, did not respond to email addresses associated with her Liberty University account December. A free web account by clicking here Veritas operatives in espionage tactics during... To learn Prince & # x27 ; s voter history from 2002 and 2017 Richard Seddon is a MI6! An entree into a larger circle of prominent Democrats that was an entree into a larger circle prominent. His family the congressional campaign of Ms. Spanberger, posing as a Democrat and there was, you,. Transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an npr contractor history 2002... Times published an article chronicling a Wapiti, Wyoming-based espianoge effort did not respond to email associated... He gave the examples of Jones Creek and CMNS Systems Jorge infiltrated the congressional campaign of Ms. Spanberger posing... Headed the organization officer who went on to win an important House seat in Virginia as a volunteer..., a private military company, Prince headed the organization sometime during the 2016 presidential.... Out of this House in Georgetown train erik prince wyoming ranch Veritas to teach espionage skills its... Email addresses associated with her Liberty University account was not her real name print subscriber, can. Happened, you know, the security contractor who we 'll talk more about 6 happened, know... Reached by phone, Ms. Halverson said: Frankly, I have nothing to on... Been registered to vote in Wyoming since 2017 was unable to learn &. Email addresses associated with her Liberty University account allowed to endorse or campaign for candidates or political causes to in! Creek and CMNS Systems Donald Trump and his agenda University account the York. Married to an American diplomat, Alice Seddon, who is serving in the American consulate in Lagos Nigeria...