US congressman challenges Biden administration’s decision to investigate Gautam Adani

Challenging the Biden administration’s decision to investigate the activities of billionaire Gautam AdaniAn influential Republican lawmaker in the United States has said such selective actions risk damaging critical alliances with key partners.

In a strongly worded letter to US Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, Congressman Lance Gooden, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, also asked: “What will the United States do if India refuses to comply with an extradition request?”

Gooden also demanded answers about the Justice Department’s selective prosecution of foreign entities and the potential harm such actions pose to global alliances and U.S. economic growth and whether there are any George Soros connection with him.

“The Justice Department’s selective actions risk damaging critical alliances with key partners like India, one of the United States’ strongest allies in the Asia-Pacific region,” Gooden said in his letter dated Jan. 7. .

Gautam Adani allegation: In-depth coverage

“Instead of pursuing cases with weak jurisdiction and limited relevance to U.S. interests, the Justice Department should focus on punishing bad actors at home, rather than pursuing rumors abroad,” he said.

‘Harms America’

The five-term Republican lawmaker said targeting entities that invest tens of billions of dollars and create tens of thousands of jobs for Americans only hurts the United States in the long run.

US Republican Congressman Lance Gooden with US President-elect Donald Trump. Archive

“When we give up on the real threats of violent crime, economic espionage and CCP influence and go after those who contribute to our economic growth, it discourages valuable new investors who hope to invest in our country,” he said.

“An unpleasant and politically charged atmosphere for investors will only paralyze efforts to revitalize America’s industrial base and economic growth and directly undermine President Trump’s commitment to reviving the economy with greater investments.

“Given that the timing of these decisions coincides with the end of the Biden administration, there is concern that the only real goal here is to disrupt President Trump,” Gooden said.

Instead of spending valuable taxpayer resources launching protracted and perhaps politically motivated activities in foreign countries thousands of miles away, the Department should cooperate with the incoming administration to better serve the American people, he said.

“As a cog in the outgoing administration, it is your duty to the public to be mindful of not creating further complications that could compromise the geopolitical eminence of the United States,” Gooden said in the letter two weeks before Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president. from the United States on January 20.

‘Forcing America’s global alliances’

“I am writing to ask about the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) recent selective pursuit of cases against foreign entities that could irreparably harm America’s global alliances,” he said.

“As our country enters a new period under President Trump, Americans are hopeful that this will mark a resurgence of prosperity, growth, economic recovery and political freedom. An important factor in our quest to revive our country’s prosperity includes the ability and freedom of potential investors to do business in the United States,” he wrote.

“In complete suspension of public outcry over rising violent crime at home, the Justice Department appears to be undertaking new expeditions to attack companies for alleged injustices abroad,” he said.

“The allegations in the Adani case, even if proven true, would not make us the final and proper arbiter on the issue. These ‘bribes’ were allegedly paid to Indian state government officials, in India, by Indian executives of an Indian company, without concrete involvement or harm to any US party,” Gooden wrote.

Gautam Adani has been accused by US prosecutors of allegedly being part of an elaborate scheme to pay a bribe of $265 million (around Rs 2,200 crore) to Indian officials in exchange for favorable terms for solar energy contracts.

Adani Group, however, denied the charges, saying the US prosecutors’ allegations are “baseless” and that the conglomerate “complies with all laws.”

“By contrast, Smartmatic, a U.S. company responsible for running our elections, had executives who allegedly laundered money and paid bribes to foreign governments, according to the Justice Department’s earlier indictment. However, despite numerous attempts by my colleagues and me to have our concerns addressed before the election, your department never informed us,” Gooden wrote.

Gooden asked why the Justice Department has not charged any Americans if the case involves a significant nexus to the United States.

“Were there no Americans involved in this alleged plan? Why has the Department of Justice pursued this case against Gautam Adani when the alleged criminal act and the parties allegedly involved are in India? Looking to enforce justice in India? asked.

“Will the Department of Justice seek the extradition of the Indian executives involved in this case? What is the Justice Department’s contingency plan if India refuses to comply with an extradition request and claims exclusive authority over this case? Is the Justice Department or the Biden administration willing to turn this case into an international incident between the United States and an ally like India? said the legislator.