Thomas Barrack, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Colony Capital Inc., gestures during the closing reception at the Milken Institute Japan Symposium in Tokyo, Japan on Monday, March 25, 2019. The conference brings together business leaders and government officials to discuss geopolitical, economic and social problems faced by Japan. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota / Bloomberg via Getty Images
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Thomas Barrack, a private equity investor who is a close friend of former President Donald Trump, was arrested Tuesday morning on federal charges related to illegal lobbying against Trump for the United Arab Emirates, the Justice Department said.
Barrack, who was charged on a seven-stage indictment in New York federal court, served as chairman of Trump’s 2017 charter fund.
Barrack, 74, is a longtime friend of Trump and the founder of large private equity firm Colony Capital.
Barrack stepped down as CEO of Colony Capital in 2020. In April he stepped down as Executive Chairman of the company.
A Trump spokeswoman did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request to comment on the arrest.
A Barrack spokesman was not immediately available for comment.
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