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Ukrainian Oligarch, Pavel Fuks, Claims He Was Victim of $200K Trump Inaugural Ticket Scam at the hands of a former NYGOP finance chair, Yuri Vanetik:
talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/ukra…
talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/ukra…
Fuks claims in a lawsuit filed in L.A. federal court Tuesday that he forked over some $200K for so-called VIP access tickets to Trump’s inaugural ceremony...
...when 1/20/17 rolled around, Fuks found himself abandoned. A car from Rep Rohrabacher“never came,”
...when 1/20/17 rolled around, Fuks found himself abandoned. A car from Rep Rohrabacher“never came,”
"...leaving Fuks and his associates “walking in the rain to try to see the inauguration.”
The $200,000 they claim to have paid to Los Angeles-based lobbyist Yuri Vanetik never materialized in the form of tickets or access passes."
The $200,000 they claim to have paid to Los Angeles-based lobbyist Yuri Vanetik never materialized in the form of tickets or access passes."
"Fuks has surfaced in various news reports over the past years in part due to his mid-2000s role as a potential Moscow-based partner for a Trump Tower Moscow, and for his recent hiring of Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani."
"US campaign finance law prohibits inaugural committees from accepting contributions from non-US citizens. Manhattan federal prosecutors are investigating Trump’s inaugural committee in part over allegations that it allowed foreigners to contribute to it in exchange for tickets."
Fuks alleges in the lawsuit that Vanetik duped him out of potentially becoming an accessory to a campaign finance violation.
Dismissing Vanetik “as a ‘master of selfies'” who “regularly posts pictures of himself with politicians on social media in an attempt to...."
Dismissing Vanetik “as a ‘master of selfies'” who “regularly posts pictures of himself with politicians on social media in an attempt to...."
"...have others believe he has political influence,” the suit accuses the L.A. lobbyist of brazenly defrauding Fuks out of the $200K he claims to have paid for the tickets.
Vanetik denied the central allegations of the lawsuit, telling TPM he had his own claims against Fuks."
Vanetik denied the central allegations of the lawsuit, telling TPM he had his own claims against Fuks."
“I never defrauded Fuks,” Vanetik told TPM, calling the complaint a “PR stunt.”
“I have counter-claims against him for fraud and breach of contract, and will be filing a countersuit,” he said. “I regret having agreed to help someone as unsavory and confrontational as Fuks.”
“I have counter-claims against him for fraud and breach of contract, and will be filing a countersuit,” he said. “I regret having agreed to help someone as unsavory and confrontational as Fuks.”
"The complaint quotes a msg that Vanetik allegedly sent to Fuks from 11/16, saying that “there are guests that get tickets and guests that get VIP treatment. Regular attendance is a joke.”
"...From there, Vanetik is accused of luring the oligarch into a deal in which Fuks wired Vanetik $200,000 under the guise of “legal services” while giving nothing in return."
"The lawsuit describes inaugural events that Vanetik pitched to Fuks, including a $20,000 per head “breakfast with 10 to 12 senators,” another $20,000 event with Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), and $35,000 per person events with the New York state GOP."
"Vanetik also purportedly told Fuks that it would cost “an additional 💥$350K💥to meet The Donald.
“You need to be prepared to spend money to get access at events like this. Otherwise, to just have a fun time, you are all set,” reads one purported text from Vanetik to Fuks."
“You need to be prepared to spend money to get access at events like this. Otherwise, to just have a fun time, you are all set,” reads one purported text from Vanetik to Fuks."
"But when inauguration day came, Fuks was left standing in the rain.
At first, the lawsuit reads, Vanetik tried to play it off, telling his supposed client “we got f***ed on the dinner.”
“I hate this inauguration,” a message allegedly reads. “It is nothing but headaches.”
🙄
At first, the lawsuit reads, Vanetik tried to play it off, telling his supposed client “we got f***ed on the dinner.”
“I hate this inauguration,” a message allegedly reads. “It is nothing but headaches.”
🙄
Pavel Fuchs:
And here:
Pavel Fuchs here as well: "The Oligarchs"
"Vanetik...warned Fuks that Vanetik’s friends and colleagues in...DC would send
authorities after him. Not long after, Fuks had his visa revoked and a five-year
travel ban instituted against him." 🤔
drive.google.com/file/d/1TGQbb6…
authorities after him. Not long after, Fuks had his visa revoked and a five-year
travel ban instituted against him." 🤔
drive.google.com/file/d/1TGQbb6…
"Vanetik blamed...“Meadowood PR”—with whom Vanetik claimed he had contracted to provide the VIP...package. But Vanetik refused to
produce a copy of the contract or contact info for Meadowood. It turns out
Meadowood PR is just part of Vanetik’s scam..."
drive.google.com/file/d/1TGQbb6…
produce a copy of the contract or contact info for Meadowood. It turns out
Meadowood PR is just part of Vanetik’s scam..."
drive.google.com/file/d/1TGQbb6…
"For example, as part of Vanetik’s fraudulent scheme, he requested that Fuks wire funds to a bank account for purported company in L.A....
14. Fuks met Vanetik in the spring of 2016. Vanetik was seeking to be
retained by the city of Kharkiv to promote its interests in the U.S."
14. Fuks met Vanetik in the spring of 2016. Vanetik was seeking to be
retained by the city of Kharkiv to promote its interests in the U.S."
"Vanetik responded on 11/18/16, and said “Best VIP 100k per person. 3 days includes top briefings tickets to inaugural ball, etc. photo opps [sic] most likely. There are levels below that as well.”
"Vanetik initially...Fuks to wire pymt to a Citibank acct for the “Hamilton Law Ofcs Client Trust Acct.” The address Vanetik gave for the acct beneficiary is 5757 W Century Blvd. Ste 700, L.A., CA 90045.
23. Vanetik..instructed Fuks to note...the wire was for “LEGAL SERVICES.”
23. Vanetik..instructed Fuks to note...the wire was for “LEGAL SERVICES.”
"But Vanetik then sent a copy of a purported contract and invoice from
Odyssey Mgmt LLC, and asked Fuks to pay in accordance w/that invoice
instead.
25. Relying on Vanetik’s promises to deliver on the VIP inauguration
packages, Fuks wired US$200K to Odyssey Mmgt LLC in CA..."
Odyssey Mgmt LLC, and asked Fuks to pay in accordance w/that invoice
instead.
25. Relying on Vanetik’s promises to deliver on the VIP inauguration
packages, Fuks wired US$200K to Odyssey Mmgt LLC in CA..."
"Unbeknownst to Fuks at the time, Odyssey Mgmt LLC appears
to be a fake company. The invoice from Odyssey Mgmt LLC states Odyssey
Mgmt LLC’s address is 1401 Dove Street, 260, NPB, CA. There
is no such entity registered in CA..."
to be a fake company. The invoice from Odyssey Mgmt LLC states Odyssey
Mgmt LLC’s address is 1401 Dove Street, 260, NPB, CA. There
is no such entity registered in CA..."
On 11/30/16, Vanetik sent Fuks the following details re the package Fuks had purchased:
Cabinet Dinner – 2 tix
Victory Reception – 4 tix
Inaugural Concert and Fireworks – 4 tix
Parade – 4 VIP Tix
Inaugural Ball Premier Access – 2 tix
Presidential Swearing-In Ceremony – 2 tix"
Cabinet Dinner – 2 tix
Victory Reception – 4 tix
Inaugural Concert and Fireworks – 4 tix
Parade – 4 VIP Tix
Inaugural Ball Premier Access – 2 tix
Presidential Swearing-In Ceremony – 2 tix"
Buh, Yuri said their corp office is in Wyoming:
This is the Hamilton Law Offices mentioned in Fuchs' lawsuit (yes, it's real; you're shocked, I know):
Did not loc Odyssey Management LLC in CA, as Pavel Fuchs said...
BUT...
I DID FIND Odyssey Managment LLC in WYOMING..going back to Yuri's address on Chapman in Orange, CA! 🤣😂
OMG this is so funny @ninaandtito !😆
wyobiz.wy.gov/Business/Filin…
BUT...
I DID FIND Odyssey Managment LLC in WYOMING..going back to Yuri's address on Chapman in Orange, CA! 🤣😂
OMG this is so funny @ninaandtito !😆
wyobiz.wy.gov/Business/Filin…
"The new filings for Vanetik and Cherniavskaya do not address the issue raised...of failing to disclose the owners of Medowood Mgmt. It is reg'd in WY as a LLC that does not publicly reveal its ownership....FARA rules specifically ask for ownership info"
And the Dove Street address, in NPB, CA - Yuri's pulled past licks outta there too:
"1401 Dove Street, Newport Beach, CA - a Citizens' Business Bank bldg"
Pavel Fuchs should hire me as an investigator for his legal counsel.
I kid! 😁
I kid! 😁
Back to the Complaint:
"Fuks asked about the extras, and also stated that he had been told he had BAD seats.
34. Vanetik asked who told Fuks that, and said it made no sense. He also then told Fuks that he was getting a $250K package for the discounted price of
$200K."
"Fuks asked about the extras, and also stated that he had been told he had BAD seats.
34. Vanetik asked who told Fuks that, and said it made no sense. He also then told Fuks that he was getting a $250K package for the discounted price of
$200K."
"On 1/9/17, Vanetik messaged Fuks about the payment Fuks had made for the inauguration package, stating: “Pavel - next several days
need to have BEM Global sign a note for funds transferred. Otherwise, you will
need to send 80k to covet [sic] taxes. This is a priority."
need to have BEM Global sign a note for funds transferred. Otherwise, you will
need to send 80k to covet [sic] taxes. This is a priority."
Vanetik also messaged Fuks to recommend additional events, such as a
breakfast w/10 to 12 senators for $20K per person, an unidentified event w/Congressman ED ROYCE for $20,000 per person, and exclusive events hosted by the Republican Party of NY for at least $35K, p/person."
breakfast w/10 to 12 senators for $20K per person, an unidentified event w/Congressman ED ROYCE for $20,000 per person, and exclusive events hosted by the Republican Party of NY for at least $35K, p/person."
"Vanetik then told Fuks that to have a better chance of meeting up with
the president-elect, Fuks would need to pay an additional $350,000, but that the cost
“may be a bit more or less depending on who it is negotiated.” Vanetik"
the president-elect, Fuks would need to pay an additional $350,000, but that the cost
“may be a bit more or less depending on who it is negotiated.” Vanetik"
"...further stated: “You need to be prep'd to spend $$$ to get access at events like this. Otherwise, to just have a fun time, you are all set.”
40. At the last min, Vanetik told Fuks that there were numerous changes
to the program and huge amts of $$$ coming in for the events."
40. At the last min, Vanetik told Fuks that there were numerous changes
to the program and huge amts of $$$ coming in for the events."
How would Yuri know that?
"Vanetik did not explain.
41. On 1/15/17, Vanetik msg'd Fuks and said “Hi pavel. I should have final schedule sent to me today. Will forward it to you. I will be leaving for DC tomorrow.”
"Vanetik did not explain.
41. On 1/15/17, Vanetik msg'd Fuks and said “Hi pavel. I should have final schedule sent to me today. Will forward it to you. I will be leaving for DC tomorrow.”
2 days later...no schedule...
"After finding out when Fuks was arriving in DC, Vanetik said “I will send you sched in about an hour or so. We got f***ed on the dinner. I am working on fixing it. I hate this Inauguration. It is nothing but headaches."
"After finding out when Fuks was arriving in DC, Vanetik said “I will send you sched in about an hour or so. We got f***ed on the dinner. I am working on fixing it. I hate this Inauguration. It is nothing but headaches."
"For the morning of the inauguration, Vanetik had promised to have
Fuks picked up and taken to the inauguration in Congressman DANA ROHRABACHER's car. The car never came."
Fuks picked up and taken to the inauguration in Congressman DANA ROHRABACHER's car. The car never came."
"Fuks and his party ended up returning to their hotel...they watched
the inauguration ceremony on television at the hotel bar...Fuks sent Vanetik a picture of friends...and said: “These are my friends, they attended a real ball yesterday and we did some f*king s*t for suckers.”
the inauguration ceremony on television at the hotel bar...Fuks sent Vanetik a picture of friends...and said: “These are my friends, they attended a real ball yesterday and we did some f*king s*t for suckers.”
"Fuks asked Vanetik to let him know when would be a convenient time to discuss a refund. Vanetik promised he would return the funds within a week or two. He never did."
On 3/8/17, Fuks again reqd an update.
52. Vanetik responded:“Hi Pavel. Hope you are well.
I had forwarded a letter from (I assume your in house lawyer) to the principals. They
should be responding shortly. The company that invoiced your firm is subject to an
NDA..."
52. Vanetik responded:“Hi Pavel. Hope you are well.
I had forwarded a letter from (I assume your in house lawyer) to the principals. They
should be responding shortly. The company that invoiced your firm is subject to an
NDA..."
"The position of the PR firm (Meadowood PR) is that it fulfilled its obligations to me
(and you)."
Medowood is Yuri, lol.
(and you)."
Medowood is Yuri, lol.
UPS store....😁😬😆
By 4/8/17, Yuri had still not refunded the money. He suggests to Fuchs to meet up with him in London or Europe:
Fuchs asks him where's the contract Yuri promised.
Vanetik responded: “So now you crossed the line. Get this straight: I
do not owe you or VITALY any money. In fact, you owe us for the MEETINGS IN ROME AND SUBSEQUENT WORK. My friends and colleagues in DC..."
Where's the #FARA?
Vanetik responded: “So now you crossed the line. Get this straight: I
do not owe you or VITALY any money. In fact, you owe us for the MEETINGS IN ROME AND SUBSEQUENT WORK. My friends and colleagues in DC..."
Where's the #FARA?
"...are taking your threats very seriously, and will likely cooperate with our AUTHORITIES as things progress. This is our last direct communication. If you have anything else to say, direct it to Leonid Wolff."
@brazencapital know him? 🤔
@brazencapital know him? 🤔
Here's Pavel Fuchs being deported from Israel in 2018:
Hmm, sanctioned by Russia too...
"Fuchs, tried to re-enter the US in 12/17, but was detained and deported by US border officials who revoked his visa, according to several sources."
WOW 😁
aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/o…
WOW 😁
aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/o…
And, Fuchs arrested in Mexico 1/19:
Continuing on with the "Wolff" that Yuri threatened Fuchs with:
"Vanetik’s invocation of Leonid Wulf’s name was apparently intended
to suggest Vanetik had connections with Russian and Ukrainian mobsters and
contract killers so as to intimidate Fuks into backing down."
"Vanetik’s invocation of Leonid Wulf’s name was apparently intended
to suggest Vanetik had connections with Russian and Ukrainian mobsters and
contract killers so as to intimidate Fuks into backing down."
"Wulf is a notorious Ukrainian native who emigrated to Israel and became a citizen there and reportedly had ties to Russian and Ukrainian organized crime..."
Threats, and then the visa canceled, w/5 yr ban:
Threats, and then the visa canceled, w/5 yr ban:
Discussing Yuri's prev fraud with Broidy:
"The trial court rejected that request, noting the Vanetiks’ use of a series of shell companies to “insulate themselves.” The trial court further stated that “[Vanetik and his father] were the artful puppeteers who masterminded the scam that relieved the plaintiff of $750,000."
😁
Fuchs putting all Yuri's dirt in the street 😆
Pavel Fuchs does not specify an amt for damages at this time.
(there's no exhibits - darnit! 😩)
EOT ✌️
drive.google.com/file/d/1TGQbb6…
(there's no exhibits - darnit! 😩)
EOT ✌️
drive.google.com/file/d/1TGQbb6…
