Fairfax Man Accused of Links to Pakistani Spy Agency

A Virginia man has been arrested for participating in a conspiracy to act as an agent of the Pakistani government.

Court documents identify the man as Syed Fai of Fairfax, Virginia, a U.S. resident.

The FBI alleges that Fai funneled millions of dollars to elected officials and high-profile conferences in an effort to influence American policy on Kashmir, a disputed territory along the Indian and Pakistani border. 

In charging documents, Fai was said to have received funding for his lobbying efforts from Pakistan's ISI, the country's spy agency.

By law, agents of foreign governments engaged in lobbying must register with the federal government.  Fai has also been charged with conspiring to cover up his official links to Pakistan.

In addition, the complaint against Fai brings charges against Zaheer Ahmad, also a U.S. resident.  Ahmad was not arrested, and is believed to be in Pakistan.

In a review of political campaign contributions, Fai made $30,000 in campaign contributions over the past 15 years.  Rep. Dan Burton, an Indiana Republican, received the more than $10,000.  Burton heads the Pakistani Caucus in the House.  Fai gave the National Republican Senatorial Committee $9,500 over 4 years from 2004 to 2008.

Fai also made $2,000 in contributions to Virginia Congressman Jim Moran in 1998.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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