Mueller witness, bipartisan political donor George Nader pleads guilty to child sex charges
George Nader, a wealthy Lebanese-American political campaign bundler for Hillary Clinton and frequent guest in President Trump's White House in the first few months of his administration, pleaded guilty Monday to child exploitation charges in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia. His sentencing is scheduled for April 10.
The guilty plea covers Nader's sexual acts with a 14-year-old Czech boy in the U.S. 20 years ago and possession of child pornography in 2012, but under a plea deal with prosecutors, he won't be charged for child pornography found on his phone en route to Mar-a-Lago, leading to his cooperation with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Trump's campaign and Russia.
Nader, 60, was questioned by Mueller's investigators about whether he illegally channeled campaign contributions to Trump's 2016 campaign from the United Arab Emirates, where he worked as an adviser to UAE leadership, and about a January 2017 meeting he set up and attended between Trump associate Erik Prince — Blackwater founder and brother of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos — and a Russian official close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The crimes Nader pleaded guilty to carry penalties of up to 50 years in prison, but prosecutors agreed to request the mandatory minimum of 10 years behind bars, served concurrently. He still faces campaign finance charges in federal court in Washington, D.C., for allegedly illegally funneling more than $3 million in campaign contributions to Democrats and Republicans. Nader served six months for child pornography charges in 1991, and he was sentenced to a year in prison in the Czech Republican in 2003. Between his Czech sentence and his 2000 journey with the 14-year-old boy, Nader served as Pentagon contractor and Middle East policy adviser to President George W. Bush's administration, The Washington Post reports.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Why are meteorologists worried Trump could ruin their forecasts?
Today's Big Question How a conservative push to dismantle a little-known government agency could lead to big headaches for anyone hoping to get a handle on their local weather
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Such wrongdoing encourages foreign corrupt practices'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Can Japan's new prime minister govern effectively?
In The Spotlight A 'popular gadfly' gets the top job
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published