Paul Erickson: Meet The Boyfriend Of Russian Agent Maria Butina Who Was Pardoned By Donald Trump

Paul Erickson is a Republican political operative, lawyer, and businessman from the United States. He’s worked on multiple Republican presidential campaigns. He has extensive ties to the National Rifle Association and Russian interests, and he was the focus of a federal investigation into Russian election meddling in the United States in 2017.

Erickson pleaded guilty to federal charges of wire fraud and money laundering in November 2019 in connection with an attempt to deceive investors in an oil development plan. In July 2020, he was sentenced to seven years in federal prison, but he was granted a full pardon in January 2021, just before Donald Trump’s last day in office.

Erickson grew up in Vermillion, South Dakota. He began his education at the University of South Dakota before transferring to Yale University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science in 1984. Erickson coordinated a youth campaign for Representative Jim Abdnor in 1980, while still at USD.

Erickson worked as the national treasurer of the College Republicans in Washington, D.C., for a year between his tenure at USD and Yale. The College Republicans’ staff at the time included Grover Norquist, Ralph Reed, and Jack Abramoff.

Erickson has homes in New York, Los Angeles, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

According to prosecutor charges against Butina, Erickson and Butina lived together. Butina’s defence alleged a long time relationship with Erickson