Fusion GPS's actions revealed: promoting Alfa Bank allegations to influence 2016 Election
These revelations expose Fusion GPS's extensive campaign to promote the Alfa Bank allegations, raising questions about the firm's intent and their coordination with the Clinton campaign
By Nick Holt | May 24, 2023 
The investigation conducted by Special Counsel has unearthed a series of communications and actions by Fusion GPS, shedding light on their relentless efforts to promote the Alfa Bank allegations during the 2016 election.
The findings provide a deeper understanding of Fusion GPS's role in shaping public opinion and raising questions about their motives.
It all began in April 2016 when Perkins Coie, a law firm connected to the Clinton campaign, engaged Fusion GPS to gather opposition research on Donald Trump's alleged ties to Russia.
Fusion GPS embarked on an extensive campaign, collecting, organising, and promoting damaging information on Trump's connections. The most notorious outcome of their efforts was the compilation of information and reports by Christopher Steele, known as the Steele Dossier.
However, Fusion GPS's involvement did not stop there. The investigation uncovered that Fusion GPS drafted a white paper detailing the parent company of Alfa Bank, implicating ties with Russian government officials and certain individuals and entities in the United States.
This document was later shared by Fusion GPS's co-founder, Peter Fritsch, with Mark Hosenball of Reuters, who expressed eagerness for any new information related to Russia and Donald Trump.
On October 18, 2016, just two weeks before the initial news stories about the Alfa Bank allegations emerged, Fritsch responded to Hosenball's inquiry, urging him to prioritise the "Alfa Bank secret comms story" as it was deemed "hugely important."
Despite concerns raised by Hosenball's cyber expert colleagues about the authenticity of crucial data, Fritsch suggested seeking assistance from a researcher at University-I.
Further collaboration between Fusion GPS and the media was revealed when Franklin Foer, a reporter for Slate magazine, reached out to University-I Researcher-2 for help on the "Alfa Bank/Trump story."
Fritsch subsequently forwarded a tweet to Foer, implying the existence of explosive information about Trump's connections to Russia. Foer swiftly shared a partial draft of his article with Fritsch, who encouraged him to expedite its publication.
Finally, on October 31, 2016, multiple media outlets published articles regarding the Alfa Bank allegations, coinciding with the FBI's investigation into the purported secret channel between the Trump Organization and Alfa Bank.
Slate published a detailed article discussing the allegations provided by Fusion GPS's lawyer, Michael Sussmann, to the FBI. The New York Times also covered the story, examining the odd stream of activity between a Trump Organization server and Alfa Bank.
Crucially, the investigation revealed Fusion GPS's deep involvement with the Clinton campaign in promoting the Alfa Bank allegations. Sussmann, working on behalf of Perkins Coie and the campaign, shared the allegations and data with the media.
Elias, a lawyer for the Clinton campaign, was also kept informed and facilitated communication between Sussmann, the media, and campaign leadership.
While both Elias and Robby Mook, the Clinton campaign manager, testified that the campaign did not authorise Sussmann to approach the FBI, they acknowledged their support for disseminating the allegations to the media.
Concerns about Trump's associations with Russia, particularly in light of his infamous "Russia, if you're listening" statement, played a significant role in the campaign's decision.
Additionally, the investigation delved into Sussmann's post-election meeting with the CIA, where he presented updated allegations, including the Alfa Bank data and claims about the use of Russian mobile phones by Trump or his associates near the White House. Sussmann had persistently pursued the meeting despite the CIA's suggestion to involve the FBI.
These revelations expose Fusion GPS's extensive campaign to promote the Alfa Bank allegations, raising questions about the firm's intent and their coordination with the Clinton campaign and media outlets.
Fusion GPS's involvement extended well beyond the production of the Steele Dossier. Their relentless efforts to collect and disseminate damaging information on Donald Trump's alleged ties to Russia played a significant role in shaping public opinion and influencing the election.
Through their collaboration with the Clinton campaign, Fusion GPS strategically promoted the Alfa Bank allegations, which implicated connections between Trump and Russian government officials. Their actions were not limited to compiling information; they actively sought to sway public opinion through their communication with media outlets and reporters.
In their pursuit of amplifying the Alfa Bank allegations, Fusion GPS engaged with various journalists, sharing information and urging them to prioritise the story. This collaboration resulted in the publication of articles across multiple media platforms, exposing the alleged secret communication channel between the Trump Organisation and Alfa Bank.
The impact of Fusion GPS's actions cannot be underestimated. The allegations they promoted, coupled with the ongoing FBI investigation into Trump's connections with Russia, fuelled concerns among voters about potential foreign interference in the election. The timing of these revelations, just weeks before the election, intensified the already charged political atmosphere.
Furthermore, Fusion GPS's activities shed light on the interconnectedness between political campaigns, law firms, intelligence agencies, and the media.
Their deep involvement with the Clinton campaign and the subsequent dissemination of information to the media highlight the complex and intricate network of influence and information during this critical period in American politics.