Russian National Charged With Interfering In 2018 Elections

The United States Department of Justice has charged a Russian national for her role in attempting to interfere with the upcoming midterm elections. Authorities allege that Elena Alekseevna Khusyaynova was in charge of the finances for a $35 million operation that used social media to divide people on polarizing issues. 

“The strategic goal of this alleged conspiracy, which continues to this day, is to sow discord in the U.S. political system and to undermine faith in our democratic institutions,” said U.S. Attorney G. Zachary Terwilliger. “This case demonstrates that federal law enforcement authorities will work aggressively to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of unlawful foreign influence activities, and that we will not stand by idly while foreign actors obstruct the lawful functions of our government."

Authorities said that Khusyaynova was in possession of detailed financial documents that showed numerous "expenditures for activists, advertisements on social media platforms, registration of domain names, the purchase of proxy servers, and 'promoting news postings on social networks.'"

Khusyaynova and her conspirators created thousands of fictitious email and social media accounts, pretending to be regular Americans. Using these accounts, they posted divisive political content on a range of issues from immigration to gun control. Some of the accounts had managed to gain tens of thousands of followers, allowing them to easily spread their messages. 

The Justice Department praised Facebook and Twitter for their "exceptional cooperation" in the investigation. 

Photo: Getty Images


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