MP Davit Matikashvili: Investigation into Joe Wilson confirms he took bribes for actions commissioned and funded by UNM

“The investigation reported by the American press into several senators and Congressman Joe Wilson confirms that Wilson engaged in corrupt practices, accepting bribes to act on behalf of the United National Movement (UNM) using their funding, declared Davit Matikashvili, Chairman of the Parliamentary Procedural Issues Committee.

Matikashvili claimed the revelations move the debate beyond legal lobbying to illicit kickbacks prohibited under US law.

“Joe Wilson has repeatedly been exposed making attacks against Georgia. Pursuant to FARA disclosures, we saw that he was receiving funds from the UNM, acting, in effect, as a mouthpiece for their false narrative,” Matikashvili stated.

“Now, the American press is reporting on an investigation targeting several senators alongside Congressman Joe Wilson. This is no longer a matter of lawful lobbying, which FARA filings bring to light, but of corrupt dealings that are strictly illegal in the United States. The available information directly confirms that Joe Wilson performed specific actions in exchange for bribes, actions he repeatedly took regarding Georgia at the behest and under the payroll of the UNM,” Matikashvili added.

Matikashvili’s comments followed an investigative report by ProPublica, which revealed that the FBI had been probing prospective corrupt transactions involving Senator Lindsey Graham as well as Congressmen James Clyburn and Joe Wilson.