Nigel Farage assistant behind bars in US after being caught in FBI undercover sting
George Cottrell is accused of allegedly offering to launder cash for criminals and faces as many as 21 charges
A POLITICAL aide to former Ukip boss Nigel Farage is behind bars in the US after being caught in an FBI sting, it was revealed last night.
George Cottrell is accused of allegedly offering to launder cash for criminals.
The 22-year-old was arrested last month while leaving the US with Mr Farage.
The pair had been at a series of Republican convention events in Cleveland, Ohio where the ex Ukip leader gave talks on Brexit.
Mr Cottrell was due to take over administrative duties like managing the Ukip MEP’s diary and his media enquiries.
Related Stories
According to the Daily Mail court documents filed in America allege Mr Cottrell offering money laundering services on the dark web using the alias ‘Bill but was trapped by FBI agents in an undercover operation.
An FBI spokesman in Ohio confirmed the arrest on July 22 and said Mr Cottrell was due to be extradited to Phoenix, Arizona.
Cottrell faces 21 charges including attempted extortion, money laundering and fraud.
Last night a Ukip spokesman told the newspaper: “George was an unpaid and enthusiastic volunteer for the party over the period of the referendum.
“We are unaware of the details of the allegations excepting that they date from a time before he was directly involved in the party.”
Farage was reportedly left surprised as he had to fly home without his aide after he was arrested at Chicago airport where they were preparing to catch a connecting flight back to Heathrow.