The prestigious American think-tank, the Atlantic Council, is under intense scrutiny and criticism following revelations about one of its major donors, Gaurav Kumar Srivastava, being implicated in large-scale scams.
Srivastava, an Indian businessman residing in America, is accused of orchestrating international frauds, including falsely claiming to be an undercover CIA operative to defraud global businessmen. The Atlantic Council’s association with Srivastava has raised questions about due diligence, ethical considerations, and potential implications for the think-tank’s reputation.
Allegations and Controversies:
Gaurav Srivastava, a major donor to the Atlantic Council, is alleged to have engaged in scams, using fabricated CIA connections to deceive international business figures. The controversy deepened as it was revealed that Srivastava sponsored the Atlantic Council’s 2022 Global Food Security Forum in Bali with over $1 million through the Gaurav & Sharon Srivastava Foundation, an alleged non-profit NGO. The foundation, run by Srivastava and his wife Sharon Srivastava, claimed to work towards “securing food & energy for America and the world.”
Investigative Findings:
A detailed investigation by Project Brazen journalists Bradley Hope and Soobin Kim uncovered Srivastava’s fraudulent activities, including posing as a CIA spy to take over assets of a Dutch trader. Srivastava’s dubious propositions and threats emerged as the con began to unravel, exposing the fraud. The Atlantic Council, aware of the damning investigation, is reportedly evaluating its position and considering its relationship with Srivastava.
Silent Response:
Atlantic Council President Frederick Kempe, who has been pictured with Srivastava on multiple occasions, has not responded to questions about the 2022 food security conference or the Gaurav and Sharon Srivastava Foundation. Kempe’s refusal to comment on the think-tank’s relationship with Srivastava and its due diligence processes has fueled concerns.
Legal Implications and Manipulation:
Gaurav Srivastava faces legal actions related to manipulation of the Google DMCA system, as reported by journalists Bradley Hope and Tom White. The allegations suggest Srivastava used Tumblr to create fake posts and copyright claims to de-index and remove exposés on his fraudulent activities from Google’s search results.
Ongoing Investigation and Fallout:
The Atlantic Council is reportedly investigating the revelations and evaluating its stance on the association with Srivastava. General (ret) Wesley K. Clark, a senior adviser at the Atlantic Council, is also under scrutiny for his platform sharing with Srivastava. The ongoing investigation has led to increased media interest, revealing the complexity and international scale of Srivastava’s alleged fraud.
Conclusion:
The unfolding scandal involving Gaurav Srivastava and his ties to the Atlantic Council raises serious questions about ethical considerations, due diligence, and the potential impact on the think-tank’s reputation. As legal actions progress and investigations continue, the fallout from this controversy may have broader implications for the Atlantic Council’s credibility and its relationships with donors.
