“Elena advises MVP in procuring interests, equity, and shares in emerging technology companies, as well as in identifying and attracting investors, strategic partners, and other advisory board candidates,” her LinkedIn profile says.
An MVP spokesman said Branson joined as an “informal adviser” in 2015 and hasn’t been affiliated with the firm since 2016.
“She had limited interaction with the firm and no interaction with our clients or portfolio companies,” the spokesman said. “Her LinkedIn is inaccurate in both scope and tenure.”
Branson left the U.S. last October after being questioned by investigators and remains at large. It’s not clear if she has an attorney.
“Particularly given current global events, the need to detect and hinder attempts at foreign influence is of critical importance,” U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement. “The Southern District of New York is proud to do its part in the fight against tyranny.”
Branson, 61, is a native of the Soviet Union and a dual Russian and American citizen. In addition to starting the Russian Center New York, she led the Russian-government funded Russian Community Council of the USA, which coordinated an “I Love Russia” campaign aimed at American youth.
She also cultivated contacts with New York leaders.
In 2015 a Russian official contacted Branson about arranging “a friendly hockey match between the Moscow Interior Ministry and New York police!” Branson replied that she’d reached out to the New York police commissioner and that an unidentified New York state senator was willing to meet the Moscow delegation.
A few weeks later, in an email with the subject line “New York,” she said the delegation would have dinner with the state senator at an Upper West Side location. It’s not clear if the dinner took place.
In the spring of 2016 a Russian minister asked Branson to arrange a meeting with Donald Trump and an unidentified daughter. Branson sent a draft invitation to the former chair of the Russian Community Council inviting Trump and his children to a forum.
“There is no indication that the now-former president or his children attended the referenced meeting,” FBI special agent Neil Somers said in a criminal complaint.
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