WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department on Friday disclosed an Iranian murder-for-hire plot to kill Donald Trump, charging a man who said he had been tasked by a government official before this week's election with planning the assassination of the Republican president-elect.
Investigators learned of the plan to kill Trump from Farhad Shakeri, an accused Iranian government asset who spent time in American prisons for robbery and who authorities say maintains a web of criminal associates who participate in Tehran's assassination plots.
Shakeri told investigators that a contact in Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard instructed him this past September to assemble a plan within seven days to surveil and ultimately kill Trump, according to a criminal complaint unsealed in federal court in Manhattan.
The official was quoting by Shakeri as saying that “We have already spent a lot of money" and that “money’s not an issue.” Shakeri told investigators the official told him that if he could not put together a plan within the seven-day timeframe, then the plot would be paused until after the election because the official assumed Trump would lose and that it would be easier to kill him then, the complaint said.
Shakeri is at large and remains in Iran. Two other men who the authorities say were recruited to participate in other assassinations, including of a prominent Iranian American journalist who has been targeted in murder-for-hire plots, were arrested Friday.
“There are few actors in the world that pose as grave a threat to the national security of the United States as does Iran,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.
The plot, with the charges unsealed just days after Trump's defeat of Democrat Kamala Harris, reflects what federal officials have described as ongoing efforts by Iran to target U.S. government officials, including Trump, on U.S. soil. Last summer, the Justice Department charged a Pakistani man with ties to Iran in a murder-for-hire plot targeting American officials.
Iranian operatives also conducted a hack-and-leak operation of emails belonging to Trump campaign associates in what officials have assessed was an effort to interfere in the presidential election.
Intelligence officials have said Iran opposed Trump’s reelection, seeing him as more likely to increase tension between Washington and Tehran. Trump’s administration ended a nuclear deal with Iran, reimposed sanctions and ordered the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, an act that prompted Iran’s leaders to vow revenge.
Trump spokesman Steven Cheung said the president-elect was aware of the assassination plot and nothing will deter him “from returning to the White House and restoring peace around the world.”
Neumeister reported from New York.
FILE - Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump is reflected in the bullet proof glass as he finishes speaking at a campaign rally in Lititz, Pa., Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump watches a video screen at a campaign rally at the Salem Civic Center, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Salem, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 8, 2024--
RealFoundations, the world’s foremost provider of consulting and managed services for the real estate industry, today announced the appointment of Andy Rothery to the firm’s leadership team as an Enterprise Managing Consultant. Rothery brings over 30 years of real estate experience, along with extensive global operational expertise and industry relationships. With over three decades of experience in the real estate industry and a deep understanding of global real estate operations, Rothery will be instrumental to advancing brand awareness and generating new business opportunities within the UK and across Europe.
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“We are delighted to welcome Andy to our team, which will strengthen our advisory services within the UK and position us for growth across Europe,” said Phillip McCorkle, Chief Executive Officer of Management Consulting at RealFoundations. “Andy’s distinguished record of leadership and real estate advisory will play a critical role in expanding our presence and elevating RealFoundations’ mission to make real estate run better on a global scale.”
Rothery, a seasoned real estate executive, has held executive leadership roles at some of the world’s most well-recognized professional services firms. His prior leadership roles include Equity Partner positions at both Arthur Andersen and Deloitte, where he was the global industry chair and founding managing partner of Deloitte Real Estate. Following his departure from Deloitte, Rothery engaged in various advisory roles and contributed to various charitable and educational initiatives. Most recently, he served as Co-head of Affordable Housing at QSix, a specialized residential investment manager, and as an advisor at Pinnacle Investments, where he supported the development of an institutional key worker housing investment vehicle.
“I am very excited to be joining RealFoundations, who have a unique position as the world’s largest real estate focused operational consulting and managed services firm. I believe the winners in the next cycle will be those organizations that have the most efficient and effective operating platform. Those able to adapt quickly and at scale to growth challenges across markets, integrate ESG reporting, adopt AI tools, address cyber risk, and provide timely and accurate data to increasingly diverse and demanding stakeholder groups will be positioned for success. RealFoundations is uniquely positioned to help clients with all these challenges in Europe given its experience in the United States,” said Andy Rothery.
To learn more about RealFoundations’ experience serving global leaders in the real estate market, visit www.realfoundations.net.
About RealFoundations
RealFoundations (RF) is the world’s foremost professional services firm focused solely on the real estate industry. Through our delivery of Management Consulting and Managed Services, we help companies that develop, own, operate, service or invest in real estate make better, more profitable decisions. We are proud partners to over 500 real estate companies around the globe, providing accelerated solutions that solve some of real estate’s most complex challenges. We Make Real Estate Run Better.
RealFoundations Expands Leadership Team in Anticipation of International Growth
Andy Rothery, Enterprise Managing Consultant at RealFoundations (Photo: Business Wire)
RealFoundations Expands Leadership Team in Anticipation of International Growth
