Lawyers for two whistleblowers quickly combat lawmakers’ claims.
Democrats were struck with a political boomerang Wednesday after alleging some FBI whistleblowers received $250,000 in exchange for testimony to a House committee.
While two of the whistleblowers, Garrett O’Boyle and Steve Friend, did get charitable checks to help support their families because their FBI paychecks had ended, there is no evidence in the public record that the checks came in exchange for testimony. In fact, the charities have said there is no connection between the financial aid and the testimonies.
But the Democrat attacks took a more significant blow when lawyers for a third whistleblower, Marcus Allen, revealed he never accepted the money as alleged by a congresswoman.
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) alleged during FBI Director Christopher Wray’s testimony before the House Judiciary Committee that FBI whistleblowers O’Boyle and Allen were given donations by fellow whistleblower Kyle Seraphin after testifying before congress.
“Here’s another picture,” Jackson said, referencing two screenshots that were brought to the hearing. “It’s the checks that were sent to both O’Boyle and Allen. Each check was for $255,194. Let me say that again. These men were paid $255,194 after they testified as so-called whistleblowers.”
When Jackson was done speaking, Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) jumped in and corrected her, stating that neither whistleblower received the money.
“They actually haven’t received the money,” Johnson said. “Have a unanimous considerate request- Mr. Chairman of a tweet Matthew Foldi put out during this hearing.”
He proceeded to read off the tweet that stated, “Right off the bat, #NY10’s @RepJerryNadler lies about a whistleblower getting $250k. Marcus Allen has not received $250,000. He has not received or cashed the check that Kyle Seraphin posted online. Allen is seeking legal advice about whether and how he can accept donations while he challenges the FBI’s retaliation for protected whistleblowing.”
Johnson requested that information be put on the record, to which Chairman Jim Jordan agreed.
New York Democrat Rep. Jerry Nadler also stated that the whistleblowers were paid $250,000 each for their testimony.
Jason Foster, the founder of Empower Oversight, a nonprofit that represents Allen, said via social media that Nadler’s claims were untrue.
