politics
Political operative files first claim for Justice Department restitution fund
A political operative filed the first known claim for the Justice Department’s new restitution fund, seeking $2.7 million. The claim follows the establishment of the fund earlier this week.
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A political operative filed the first known claim for the Justice Department’s new restitution fund Tuesday, seeking $2.7 million in restitution. The operative posted a letter addressed to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stating that government processes were politically weaponized against his family from July 2016 to December 2025.
The letter said investigators found nothing and the family lost everything.
Background on the claim The operative said he was the target of an FBI investigation into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russian efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election. He also said he was the target of another investigation in 2021 connected to a documentary about former President Joe Biden and Ukraine.
The Justice Department established the nearly $1.8 billion fund Monday after a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS was dismissed. Officials said the fund is meant to reimburse people who were treated in a certain way.
Fund administration and response Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said at a Senate hearing Tuesday that payouts will be decided by a five-member commission, with four members chosen by the attorney general and one chosen in consultation with Congress. A vice president said Tuesday that anybody can apply for money from the fund. The operative confirmed the document’s authenticity to NBC News.
