41. On December 1, 2016, U.S. Person 1 emailed BUTINA with instructions for "what is required to book the Russian delegation hotel rooms in the Washington Hilton—the actual venue of the National Prayer Breakfast." The email listed rooms and prices, and U.S. Person 1 noted, "To be safe, I'd ask [the RUSSIAN OFFICIAL] to place US $3500 on one of your Russian charge cards in order to pay these deposits."
42. In a December 26, 2016 email, the RUSSIAN OFFICIAL told BUTINA that the MFA had no objection to his trip to attend the National Prayer Breakfast, but "it does not mean that everything is settled. . . . Officially, only ambassadors will be invited. There will be no state leaders and delegations." BUTINA. replied, "The response from the MFA is perfect.[] I am serious."
43. On January 5, 2017, BUTINA was forwarded a copy of an email between U.S. Person 1 and U.S. Person 2 regarding the 2017 National Prayer Breakfast in which U.S. Person 1 attached a list of Russian visitors, including 12 Russian guests, noting, "In addition to delegation leader [the RUSSIAN OFFICIAL], the list is populated by important political advisors to Russian President Putin, university presidents, mayors, and substantial private businessmen."
44. On January 26, 2017, BUTINA and the RUSSIAN OFFICIAL communicated via Twitter direct message about the RUSSIAN OFFICIAL delivering a speech the night before the National Prayer Breakfast. BUTINA told the Russian Representative that "[t]he only thing I ask is to somehow mention me. This is very important for me for negotiations with the breakfast committee. They need to see me not as the delegation 'organization committee' but as your partner and colleague." The Russian Representative agreed as to the "need to stress [BUTINA's] status as a key figure."
45. On February 2, 2017, BUTINA and the RUSSIAN OFFICIAL attended the 2017 National Prayer Breakfast in the District of Columbia.
15
