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Novak never said he believed the alleged hostage release plan was a felony, according to copies of previously reported text messages whose authenticity has been confirmed to POLITICO by Adams.
But on August 31, a federal grand jury indicted a suspect for allegedly attempting to defraud Gaetz’s father. The scheme involved Florida developer Stephen Alford, who claimed that in return for funding for the hostage rescue, he and another man would use their influence in the federal government to ensure that the congressman “receives a presidential pardon, thus alleviating all its legal problems. ,” the the indictment says.
The Israeli Consulate General in New York, where Novak works, declined to comment. Novak, a former CNBC contributor, did not respond to calls and texts for comment.
The allegation that a foreign official could be involved in a fake scheme by a US Congressman – a very unusual development in and of itself – could help paint a more complete picture of a scandal that has captivated the nation’s capital but many elements of which are still unknown. The allegations were largely ignored by most of the media.
The Novak incident is one of many twists and turns of the Gaetz affair, filled with reports of drug-fueled orgies hosted by former local Florida tax collector Joel Greenberg who pleaded guilty to a host of crimes including sex trafficking of a minor who later became a porn star. He is cooperating with the federal authorities to file a complaint against Gaetz in exchange for leniency. His sentencing is scheduled for November 18.
The Gaetz case has gone from the news headlines to entertainment. A Gaetz-like congressman will be featured on Thursday in a Law & Order Season 1 Episode 1. And Gaetz has also been cited in a lawsuit against the online “sugar daddy” website SeekingArrangements which was filed against him by the former mistress of golfer Tiger Woods.
The revelations that a foreign government employee represented his involvement in what is now considered a criminal fraud scheme targeting a sitting congressman do not speak of Gaetz’s guilt or innocence. But the situation is as rare as it is worrying – even if it is only a matter of appearance – said Ronald E. Neumann, former career ambassador and president of the American Academy of Diplomacy.
“It’s certainly problematic, if it’s true,†Neumann said. “Anytime you have criminal or potentially criminal behavior, and someone is part of a foreign embassy or consulate, that’s a problem.”
Adams, the cartoonist, has become a cultural figure in his own right with the rise of Donald Trump, for whom he has expressed his admiration.
“People with ties to Israel were very interested in me during Trump’s day. Presumably to influence me, â€Adams told POLITICO via text message. “Jake and I shared an interest in the mechanics of persuasion and interesting business / political stories in general. Most often, stuff with a persuasive or Israeli angle. That was our initial connection… people often tell me their scoops before making headlines just to build credibility. Maybe that was it.
Gaetz-related messages between the two men, first reported in The American Conservative and subsequently addressed in only a few other articles in conservative media or blogging, started March 27, three days before The New York Times first reported the sex crimes investigation of the congressman. Novak had only started working at the consulate earlier this month, according to his Twitter feed.
“Scoop I can not report: Representative Gaetz is the subject of sexual intercourse with a minor…. I trust the source. Apparently “very credible” charges / accusations “, Novak written to Adams.
Once the report was made public, Novak then sent an “I told you so” message to Adams. He also challenged Gaetz and his father, former Florida Senate Speaker Don Gaetz, for exposing what they called the “extortion” plot regarding Levinson’s bailout.
Although Levinson’s family members and most intelligence officials believe he is dead, a private sector intelligence agent named Bob Kent attempted to prove that the CIA assets were still alive. Kent was also involved in a 2020 rescue effort that was partly funded by the State Department, a person familiar with the matter told POLITICO. In 2021, Kent teamed up with Alford – the developer who was later indicted – to contact Don Gaetz to fund another rescue.
But the elder Gaetz thought it was a scam, reported it to the FBI and was carrying a thread when, at the two men’s suggestion, he met a Levinson family attorney named David McGee. McGee was a former federal prosecutor who worked with Kent as part of the pre-effort to free Levinson and who also knew Alford. Alford was charged on August 31.
McGee has denied any wrongdoing, as has Kent. McGee has already been involved in another rescue attempt, funded by the Russian oligarch’s $ 20 million Oleg Deripaska, who wanted his visa to the United States reinstated.
In previously reported text message exchanges with Novak, Adams has repeatedly questioned the allegations against Gaetz and said that “the extortion counterclaim appears credible. Has witnesses apparently.
Novak then responded as if he was part of the effort to have Gaetz’s father “secretly” fund the rescue mission that was now in danger.
“The backstory is that this ruins my efforts to free Bob Levinson,†Novak wrote. “I have a commando team leader friend who is nervously waiting for the wire transfers to clear.”
In another exchange, Novak accused of having knowledge of the negotiations with Don Gaetz, claiming that “the real documents do not extort. And we only asked for $ 25 million as an estimate at the start. We went down very low.
Months later, Alford’s indictment confirmed what Novak said. The indictment document accuses Alford of asking for “$ 15.5 million to complete the project.”
After Novak’s exchange with Adams leaked, Adams said he didn’t know how it came to the public.
“We haven’t communicated since,” Adams told POLITICO. “I’m just as confused as you are as to why Jake was involved and why he thought he had to tell me.” “
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