It seems the long reach of Russia has no bounds. This morning two reporters (Anita Wadhwani and Joel Ebert) for the Tennessean (a Nashville publication) broke a story involving all those mentioned above.
The report involves known agent, alleged crime boss, politician and friend of Putin Alexander Torshin and his friendship with G. Kline Preston a Nashville attorney. It seems he is the individual who hooked up Russia to the NRA in 2011 and were chummy enough to attend the NRA convention of 2015 in Nashville together. This is the same NRA convention that Trump attended. While there is no confirmation the two met at this convention it does not take a huge leap of faith to believe a Russian agent and Trump may have used the convention as a backdrop for a quick chat.
G. Kline Preston, IV, a graduate of the Nashville School of Law, has authored books about Russian regulations, and has represented clients in Russia, Ukraine, Canada, Cuba and England.
Among Preston's Russian clients and longtime friends is Alexander Torshin, a prominent Russian politician who has close ties to President Vladimir Putin. Torshin is under scrutiny for illegally channeling Russian funds to the National Rifle Association in an effort to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
The story goes on to say Preston was invited as an international observer of the Russian election by Torshin and Preston returned the favor and had Torshin observe our general election. Yes, a Russian with a criminal history, Russian Agent and Putin pal was an international observer in Nashville, TN.
So how does Blackburn get drug into this????? Well Preston is a lawyer for Blackburn and a self described family friend. Back in 2005 Blackburn was under investigation for campaign finance violations. Preston represented her and she even employed his wife.
"We're family friends," he said Friday. "Long time. My spouse is friends with the Congresswoman and her daughter."
The NRA connection to Torshin has been written about. For a quick refresher these are two good links
In 2011 handwritten letter, NRA President offered help to Alexander Torshin for his “endeavors”
What’s the Truth About the NRA’s Man in Moscow?
So the NRA has potential dirty money, Trump has potential dirty money, it is possible the NRA used some of the potential dirty money to prop up congressional campaigns across the country. If the NRA was doing this then who else knew?
Now we all are left wondering if Blackburn herself has any financial ties back to Moscow as one of her family friends, former employee, and former lawyer have direct connections to a Russian agent who is under investigation for funneling money into the NRA and said agent just happens to be pals with Putin who is suspected of interfering with the 2016 election. Her Senate race was already expected to be a competitive one, is this the tip of the iceberg involving Blackburn and Russia? An unfortunate coincidence? Time will tell, regardless today is not a good day for the Blackburn campaign, NRA, Torshin, Preston, Trump and Putin as this slowly begins to unravel.