Letter to Merrick Garland, United States Attorney General - Requesting Investigation into Saudi-Backed LIV Golf's Potential Violation of Foreign Lobbyist Rules

Letter

Dear Attorney General Garland,

I write to request that the Department of Justice conduct a thorough review of LIV Golf, Ltd., and its potential violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act ("FARA"). As the DOJ knows, foreign governments who hire lobbying, consulting, public relations, and marketing firms are required to register with the federal government under FARA statutes. This ensures that the federal government and the public are aware of these relationships, activities, and the financial compensation associated with foreign governments operating in the US. By that definition, LIV Golf and its affiliated entities must be examined to see if they have violated FARA laws and procedures by not registering with the Department of Justice.

At this point, there is no mistaking the origins and purpose of LIV Golf. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is funneling money through its Public Investment Fund (PIF) to stand up LIV Golf as an exercise in public relations. In other words, a foreign government's dollars are being used to enhance that government's brand and positioning here in the United States. And yet, suspiciously, LIV Golf and entities tied to it have not registered their FARA affiliation with the Department of Justice.

We know from public reporting that LIV Golf has hired PR firms to build its business, and plan and execute its tournaments. We know the golfers, the events management companies, and the golf courses involved. FARA requires that those entities register with the DOJ, because they are acting directly or indirectly on behalf of a foreign principal, including as a "public relations counsel, publicity agent, information service employee or political consultant." [22 U.S. Code §?611(c)(1)(ii)].

To date, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through LIV Golf, has spent hundreds upon hundreds of millions of dollars to underwrite American public relations and marketing firms/individuals to promote a positive image of Saudi Arabia. This isn't hyperbole. Indeed, the leadership of LIV Golf has repeatedly been asked questions about Saudi Arabia's political activities, including by the American press. Their responses have been taken straight from the Saudi script. In other words, they are acting as public relations agents for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia--the exact type of activity that must be regulated and monitored by the Department of Justice under FARA statutes.

As your own Department of Justice has emphasized, the purpose of FARA is to ensure that the political activities of foreign governments and foreign agents operating in the United States are publicly disclosed. Indeed, comparable efforts run by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have appeared in FARA filings. The Saudi Arabian PIF has registered under FARA for campaigns tied to "Growing beyond oil" and "Vision 2030."1 It seems natural to ask why LIV Golf--an integral part of "Vision 2030"--has not registered its activities and affiliations with the DOJ.

With more tournaments scheduled in the United States, the United States Congress and the American people deserve to know the depth and breadth of Saudi Arabia's unprecedented political and public relations activities through its LIV Golf entity. I respectfully request that you immediately review LIV Golf, Ltd., and its potential violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act ("FARA") and that you provide a briefing to Members of Congress on this inquiry prior to LIV Golf's next scheduled American tournament, which is to be held on July 29, 2022 at Bedminster Golf Club in New Jersey.

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