Roger Stone held at a fundraiser on Staten Island last Saturday night, to raise money for his legal defense.
The 66-year-old lobbyist and strategist is known for his use of opposition research, usually for candidates of the Republican Party. He has worked for politicians including Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Jack Kemp, Bob Dole and most recently was a longtime advisor for President Donald Trump. On January 25th, Stone was arrested at his residence in Florida in connection with Robert Mueller’s Special Counsel investigation. He is being charged with witness tampering, obstructing an official proceeding, and five counts of making false statements, all of which he is pleading not guilty to.
As reported by the NY Post, to date he has raked up roughly $2 million in lawyer bills, awaiting his trial which has been set for November 5th. The fundraiser, held at an Annadale restaurant in Staten Island, was filled to capacity with over 100 supporters attending, at $150 a head. Stone, who seemed upbeat, spent the night complaining to supporters about the “relentless attacks” against him in the media, but was careful not to violate the gag order in place ahead of his obstruction trial. “And yes, I am eating a lot of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches,” Stone told the crowd, referring to his financial woes.
Former “Manhattan Madam” Kristin Davis, and former congressman Michael Grimm were both at his side at the event, Grimm confiding that he had been through a similar “witch hunt”. Rich Valdes, the conservative radio producer and host and potential Republican challenger who will take on Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, was also at the fundraiser.
Stone also has an online fundraising at stonedefensefund.com, which he said has attracted about 40,000 donors. Despite this, he said the lawyers’ bills have forced him to sell his home and his car. “If you see a picture of me on social media, on Instagram, eating a big steak or a nice plate of lasagna, you can bet someone else is paying for it,” he noted.
Stone said he is no longer in direct contact with President Trump, but that they have known each other since 1979. At the time, Stone was working for Ronald Reagan’s New York campaign and Mr. Trump was an important donor.
