Rudy Giuliani says he is “honored” to do interviews all day about Maryam Rajavi
Maryam Rajavi the leader of the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) hosted former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani together with some other retired politicians in Rome, Italy. It seems that Rome gathering was an opportunity for former America’s Mayor to be “Honored to do interviews all day today about Maryam Rajavi and her ten point plan to have a free and democratic Iran”, as he stated on his X account. However, X users slammed him with a crucial question: How much did Maryam Rajavi pay him?
The exact amount Rudy Giuliani is currently paid by the MEK for speaking at or attending their rallies is not publicly disclosed in recent information. However, past reports and legal filings provide insight into his compensation from the group.
Giuliani has been a prominent advocate for the MEK for over a decade, participating in their events and giving speeches. While the precise current figures are not available, past estimates and statements shed light on his financial arrangements with the group. For instance, it has been reported by the Guardian in 2018, that speakers at MEK events have received between $30,000 to $50,000 per speech.
According to the report by Saeed Kamali Dehghan of the Guardian, John Bolton, another high-profile American politician who has spoken at MEK rallies, is estimated to have received upwards of $180,000 for multiple events, with a financial disclosure showing he was paid $40,000 for one speech in a particular year.
Rudy Giuliani says he is “honored” to do interviews all day about Maryam Rajavi
Giuliani himself has acknowledged receiving payment for his appearances. In a 2011 interview, Michael Mukasey, Giuliani’s former law partner and fellow MEK advocate, stated he was paid his standard speaking fee of $15,000 to $20,000 for talks at MEK-related events. While Giuliani would not elaborate on how much the group pays him for his appearances, he has defended his advocacy by stating that many other prominent U.S. politicians and military figures also participate in such activities. This was revealed in an investigative report on NBC News in October, 2019.
The financial arrangements between the MEK and its American political supporters, including Giuliani, have drawn scrutiny, particularly concerning compliance with the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). FARA requires American citizens to disclose lobbying or public relations work on behalf of foreign entities to the Justice Department, regardless of whether they are compensated.
According to NBC News, Michael Mukasey, for example, registered as a foreign agent lobbying pro bono for the MEK’s political arm in 2017, though he stated he was not compensated for his advocacy but would be reimbursed for expenses. The report of NBC stated that Giuliani, however, has maintained that he has no reason to register under FARA because he does not plan to speak to U.S. government officials about the MEK.
The MEK, a cult-like terrorist group with a complex history, was designated a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department until 2012. Despite its delisting, the group has attracted a network of American politicians who have been paid to advocate on its behalf. Critics, such as Daniel Benjamin, a former State Department counterterrorism coordinator, who was interviewed by NBC News have found it “distasteful” that these individuals “were shilling for this group even if it was delisted,” citing the group’s past actions, including the killing of Americans.
Moreover, the source of the MEK’s funding for these payments has also been a subject of speculation.
Mazda Parsi
Sources:
1. Kamali Dehghan, Saeed, Who is the Iranian group targeted by bombers and beloved of Trump allies?, The Guardian, July 2nd, 2018.
2. Julia Ainsley, Andrew W. Lehren and Rich Schapiro, Giuliani’s work for Iranian group with bloody past could lead to more legal woes, NBC News, October 17th, 2019.
