MP Tom Malinowski (D-Ringoes) and MP John Curtis (R-UT), co-chairs of the Congress on Foreign Corruption and Kleptocracy, today called for the freezing and confiscation of assets held by allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime. Russian invasion of Ukraine that started last night.
“We call on President Biden to immediately impose full sanctions on the freezing of 35 Russian oligarchs, crooks and officials who support the Putin regime in Navalny’s so-called list,” Malinowski and Curtis said in a joint statement. “Endemic corruption and theft by the Russian people fuel Putin’s repression and military aggression; it is also his greatest political vulnerability … It is time for coordinated action against these factors of Putin’s abuse. “
The statement also urged other countries opposed to the Russian invasion to use their own powers to seize the assets of Navalny 35, a group of Putin’s proxies identified by Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
“The United States government must use all its diplomatic resources and legal powers to ensure that third countries confiscate yachts, private jets, beach villas and hidden bank accounts of Putin’s friends,” Malinowski and Curtis said. “If additional legal powers are needed to force such countries to take action, the Biden administration must work with Congress to pass the necessary legislation.”
At the local level in New Jersey, State Senator Paul Sarlo (D-Wood Ridge) proposed legislation with similar intentions it would ban government agencies from doing business with Russia, while a number of other New Jersey politicians issued statements condemning the invasion.
