Welch: "Dubai Ports Deal Bad...And Pay No Attention to My FEC Report

In a recent press release, Democratic Congressional hopeful Peter Welch recently used the Dubai Port deal issue to politicize homeland security.

In a February 23rd press release Welch said, “Congress must do everything in its power to ensure our ports are secure. I share the concerns of many in Congress that this deal should not go through unless it fully supports guaranteeing the best port security possible. The unfortunate reality is that the Republican led Congress has consistently opposed measures to fund needed improvements in post security, despite 9-11 Commission recommendations to do so.”

But according to the federal law enforcement and FEC sources, Welch has taken campaign contributions from a foreign agent representing the United Arab Emirates at the federal level.

Welch has made several pronouncements recently concerning the profits of some of the world's largest energy companies, including Exxon-Mobil, a company's holdings he held until recently. Recent news reports reveal Welch filed financial reports for his run for the U.S. House, a report he filed seven months late, which disclosed an income almost ten times what he made just the year before, including the lucrative Exxon-Mobil stock just before his run for the U.S. House.

Following the disclosure of the financial reports, Welch dismissed his stock holdings in Exxon-Mobil as a "distraction" but has not disclosed the capital gains from those stock sales.

According to the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Patton Boggs LLP is a registered agent pursuant to the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), and represents the government of the United Arab Emirates.

Department of Justice documents reveal that Patton Boggs LLP is an active agent of the UAE, having first registered to represent the country on May 10, 2005.

Federal Elections Commission records indicate that Patton Boggs LLP has organized a Political Action Committee named "Patton Boggs PAC".

According to FEC reports filed by the Welch campaign reveal that his campaign committee took $1,000 from Patton Boggs PAC on Dec.14, 2005, while Patton Boggs LLP was registered as actively representing the interests of the government of the United Arab Emirates.

While Welch has been openly critical of the Dubai ports deal, Welch has not been openly critical of the UAE government for their role in the deal. Foreign agents often act as "buffers" to try and quell open criticism in the United States for their clients.