Saudi Arabia is paying a public relations firm to convince American veterans to go to Washington, D.C. and tell members of Congress they oppose a new federal law that allows civil lawsuits against state sponsors of terrorism, The Daily Caller reports.
And the Saudi government appears to be paying for luxurious trips to Capitol Hill for the vets, including stays at the $500-per-night Trump International Hotel, the website claims.
The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) allows Americans to file civil claims against foreign governments. The court cases are permitted for terrorist attacks taking place in the U.S. and carried out by designated foreign terrorist groups. It was enacted to help families of victims in the 9/11 attack.
Republican senators John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina have proposed an amendment that would allow Americans to sue governments for any attacks only if the nations "knowingly engage with a terrorist organization directly or indirectly, including financing," The Daily Caller says.
Now, Saudi Arabia is paying the public relations firm, Qorvis MSLGROUP, to lobby for the amendment, the website says.
The firm is working to recruit veterans to oppose JASTA, The Daily Caller reports. It has already hired Eric Eisenhammer, founder and CEO of Dauntless Communication in California, the website noted.
It is also paying Tennessee-based consultant Paul Stanley $12,000 to aid in the effort, The Daily Caller added.
A third person reportedly attempting to recruit veterans is Sarah Durand, a former president of the Louisville Tea Party, said the website, which noted she "may or may not" have any ties with Qorvis.
One combat veteran, Malachias Gaskin of Tennessee, told The Daily Caller that he received a recruiting email from a friend, also an ex-soldier, looking for veterans to speak in Washington. The email came from Durand and also asked whether he could sign a petition, which supports the McCain-Graham amendment, the website says.
He claims he was offered a stay at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, where standard rooms go for $500-a-night, according to the website.
Commenting on the PR firm’s efforts, a spokesman for Qorvis MSLGROUP says there has been no intent to deceive veterans, The Daily Caller reports.
"This is not some back-stage, behind-the-scenes maneuver," the spokesman. "This is totally out in the open. This is totally transparent."
But Terry Strada, national chair for the 9/11 Families & Survivors United for Justice Against Terrorist says she believes veterans are being duped.
"We believe Saudi Arabia is funding the flights and paying for hotels for these veterans," she said.