Following a six-week jury trial in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Thomas Barrack and his co-defendant, Matthew Grimes, were acquitted on all counts alleging that they acted as unregistered agents of the United Arab Emirates, obstructed justice, and made false statements to federal investigators. The government’s case relied heavily on emails, text messages, and other communications, arguing that Barrack and Grimes sought to influence U.S. policy on behalf of a foreign government without the disclosures required by federal law.
The defense countered that the government’s theory rested on strained interpretations of ordinary business and diplomatic communications. Through witness testimony and documentary evidence, the defense demonstrated that Barrack’s interactions with foreign officials were consistent with lawful international business practices and long-standing advisory relationships, and that there was no agreement to act under the direction or control of a foreign government. The defense also challenged the government’s claims of obstruction and false statements, highlighting the lack of intent and the inherent ambiguity in complex, multi-year communications. After deliberating over several days, the jury returned unanimous not-guilty verdicts on all charges.
DOAR supported the defense throughout trial by providing comprehensive trial strategy consulting, jury research, and jury selection services, along with graphics development and evidence presentation. Working closely with counsel, DOAR helped structure the defense narrative, translate dense communications evidence into clear visual frameworks, and ensure that key themes were presented coherently and persuasively. These combined efforts enabled the defense to effectively counter the government’s document-driven case and contributed to a complete acquittal for both defendants.
