US indicts RT employees in alleged $10M secret funding plot tied to right-wing media
The Justice Department has unsealed indictments against two employees of Russia’s state-run media outlet, RT, accusing them of covertly funding a U.S. media company to stoke political divisions.
The Justice Department has unsealed indictments against two employees of Russia’s state-run media outlet, RT, accusing them of covertly funding a U.S. media company to stoke political divisions.
According to the indictment, Kostiantyn Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva funneled $10 million through shell companies and fake identities to secretly bankroll a Tennessee-based media network, part of a broader Moscow-directed campaign to influence the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the charges, emphasizing the insidious nature of the operation. “The company never disclosed to the influencers – or to their millions of followers – its ties to RT and the Russian government. Instead, the defendants and the company claimed that the company was sponsored by a private investor.
That private investor was a fictitious persona,” Garland said. He underscored that such efforts by an “authoritarian regime” to manipulate America’s free exchange of ideas would not be tolerated, adding that the investigation remains ongoing.
While U.S. authorities did not directly name the Tennessee-based outlet, the description in the indictment aligns with Tenet Media, a network of right-wing commentators that includes figures such as Dave Rubin, Tim Pool, and Benny Johnson. All three have responded to the allegations, vehemently denying any knowledge of the scheme. Rubin called the situation a clear case where he and other influencers “were the victims of this scheme,” adding, “I knew absolutely nothing about any of this fraudulent activity.” Johnson echoed similar sentiments, stating he was “disturbed” by the revelations and promised legal action against anyone suggesting otherwise.
Beyond the indictments, U.S. officials also seized 32 internet domains allegedly used in Russian-led influence campaigns targeting the 2024 election and attempting to reduce global support for Ukraine. FBI Director Christopher Wray said these websites were part of a Russian effort to trick Americans into consuming propaganda disguised as legitimate media content. “By seizing these websites, the FBI is making clear to the world what they are: Russian attempts to interfere in our elections and influence our society,” Wray said.
This indictment and domain seizure follow years of accusations that foreign governments, including Russia, have sought to meddle in U.S. elections, most notably in the 2016 and 2020 presidential races. With these latest charges, the U.S. government is sending a strong signal that it remains vigilant in countering such malign foreign influence ahead of the 2024 election.