US boyfriend of ‘Russian spy’ charged with fraud

WASHINGTON, DC: An American who was dating jailed alleged Russian agent Maria Butina was charged with fraud on Tuesday, adding a new twist in the investigations into Moscow’s meddling in United States politics.

Republican and National Rifle Association operative Paul Erickson was charged with one count of fraud for cheating investors in companies he controlled that purported to be running assisted living facilities and building homes in North Dakota. He also allegedly cheated investors in a wheelchair design and production company.

He took hundreds of thousands of dollars from investors and used some of it for his personal needs, the indictment said.