Trump ally Thomas Barrack pleads not guilty in UAE lobbying case

Federal authorities say Barrack, a longtime friend of Donald Trump, secretly lobbied in the US on behalf of the UAE.

The chairman of former President Donald Trump’s 2017 inaugural committee pleaded not guilty Monday and said he was “100 percent innocent” of charges that he secretly lobbied the US on behalf of the United Arab Emirates. Thomas Barrack, 74, wearing a black mask to protect against the coronavirus, appeared in Brooklyn federal court for the first time, days after he was freed on $250m bail following his arrest in California. His lawyer entered his plea for him. “As you’d expect, the system is working. I think what you’ll find is that … over time, you’ll all see that I’m 100 percent innocent,” Barrack said as he left the court.