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| Sali Berisha |
Prime Policy Group is representing Sali Berisha, the former president and prime minister of Albania, under a six-month pro-bono agreement that went into effect on April 10.
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on May 19, 2021 banned Berisha and his family from traveling to the US due to involvement in significant corruption in his capacity as prime minister.
“Berisha was involved in corrupt acts, such as misappropriation of public funds and interfering with public processes, including using his power for his own benefit and to enrich his political allies and his family members at the expense of the Albanian public’s confidence in their government institutions and public officials,” said Blinken in announcing the travel ban.
Berisha, who is 78, has denied any wrongdoing and blamed financier George Soros for his problems, according to The Washington Diplomat.
Prime Policy Group founding chairman Charlie Black, who heads the work for Berisha, believes his client has been unfairly banned from the US and wants Congress to investigate the matter.
As president (1992-1997) of Albania, Berisha scored a trip to the George Bush I White House and was feted for guiding the country as it emerged from Communist rule.
Black was a senior political advisor to Bush’s 1992 re-election campaign.
Berisha, a cardiologist by training, currently chairs the conservative right Democratic Party of Albania.
Prime Policy Group is part of BCW Global.
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May 2, 2023, by Joe Honick
Admittedly, I know nothing about the Albanian who has been banned from entry to the United States. I do, however, would like to know how and why a firm like Black's has developed such a charitable assessment of the ban that they are willing to take some legal and professional chances to do the work for free for a whole six months. None of that was in the announcement. At least our Secretary of State offered a reason of sorts.Considering the questionable characters we have actually not only allowed in but have even often feted for political reasons, how would PPG justify putting our refuseniks on the spot by lobbying for Berisha's entry and even more if they succeeded?