EFTA00259527.pdf

FD-302 (Rev. 5-8-10) -1 of 9- • • OPPICIAL annum' ; •r— .., • szCRET/Merevat FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Date of entry 0512912020 (U//FOUO) On 04/28/2020 from approximately 2:31 m to 5:27 pm, CHARLES "CHUCK" JOHNSON, social security account number (SSN) telephone number was interviewed over the phone, by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agents (SA) and After being advised of the identity of the interviewing Agents and the nature of the voluntary interview, JOHNSON provided the following information: (U//FOUO) At the beginning of the interview, JOHNSON expressed concern about what the Agents were interested in. JOHNSON said he wanted to be helpful, but did not want to get tricked into being arrested. He said he may have made mistakes in the past related to Bitcoin, supporting the financing of marijuana businesses, and his taxes, but now did want to jeopardize his own businesses because they work with the U.S. Government (USG). JOHNSON also indicated that he had an attorney and his attorney would be shocked that he was willing to talk to the FBI. Agents said the call was voluntary and he did not need to talk with the Agents. JOHNSON understood and continued to talk to the Agents. (U//FOUO) JOHNSON lived in Houston, Texas, for the past three years. JOHNSON owned property in Los Angeles, California, where his ex-wife and daughter stayed. JOHNSON often traveled to Los Angeles and to Washington, DC, for business. Prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic, JOHNSON hosted dinners in DC, referred to as the "Rumor Mill." (U//FOUO) JOHNSON was involved with the companies OTHRAM, which dealt Reason: 1.4(b) Derived From: FBI NSIC CG Declassify On: 20451231 sEcRET/Amerwer Investigationon 04/28/2020 at Washington, District Of Columbia, United States (Phone) • Filed 50D—NY-3027571 Datedietal 05/04/2020 by This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the popery of the FBI and is loaned to your agency, it and its cants re not to be distributed outside your agency. EFTA00259527 FD-302a (Rev. 5.8.10) SECRET/bNOFORN- (U//FOU0) Interview of Charles Johnson Continuation of FD-302of (aka) Chuck Johnson ,On 04/28/2020 ,pme 2 of 9 with genetics, and CLEAR VIEW, which focused on facial recognition. JOHNSON's facial recognition company partnered with the FBI investigating criminal cases. JOHNSON worked with the National Security Council (NSC) to identify Chinese companies practicing unethical tactics (Honey Pots, bribes, and blackmail). JOHNSON provided the name of retired FBI SA as a reference. JOHNSON also said he has worked with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). (U//FOUO) STEVE BANNON, MICHAEL CERNOVICH, EZRA COHEN-WATNICK, the National Security Council, and Media Leaks: (U//FOUO) Agents presented JOHNSON with an article he wrote titled "Why Steve Bannon Had to Go from Breitbart" written on January 9, 2018, on gotnews.com. JOHNSON recalled writing it and receiving phone calls to take it down but refused to do so. JOHNSON was friends with BANNON and they use to work together. JOHNSON maintained a friendship with STEVE BANNON for a long time but has since cut ties. JOHNSON was paid by BANNON to do research prior to the 2016 presidential election. JOHNSON took the Make America Great Again (MAGA) personally and helped establish relationships with Alt-Right groups prior to the election in order to support DONALD TRUMP's campaign. After the election, JOHNSON worked to bring down the groups and returned the money he received from BANNON. JOHNSON held mixed views on the actions he took to get TRUMP elected. JOHNSON was angered by the things he wrote in the past and was remorseful. For example, he recognized that on the Internet he looked like a Neo-Nazi, but said he studied racists but was not a racist. He said his attorney was Jewish. He said his online persona was not who he really was. (U//FOUO) JOHNSON has not talked to BANNON in over a year but received approximately two to three text messages from BANNON since. JOHNSON did not believe BANNON had as close of a relationship with the President of the United States (POTUS) as he bragged about. (U//FOUO) Agents read the following statement from JOHNSON's article to JOHNSON: "Bannon leaks all the time. I know he leaked from the White House because he leaked to me and you better believe I will testify if asked." JOHNSON recalled ALEXANDRA PREATE, who is an associate of BANNON's, SECRET/,mmommom EFTA00259528 FD-302a (Rev. 5.8.10) SECRET/; (U//FOUO) Interview of Charles Johnson Continuation of FD-302 of ( a ka) Chuck Johnson ,On 04/28/2020 ,page 3 of 9 contacting him after he posted this article. JOHNSON had hundreds of conversations with BANNON but did not recall specific topics BANNON leaked to him. BANNON would call JOHNSON on the phone and tell him things, then hang up the phone. With respect to White House matters, JOHNSON recalled BANNON shared that GARY COHN and DINA POWELL, who are both former White House officials, were having an affair. (U//FOLIO) BANNON spent a lot of time with the press while serving at the White House (WH). BANNON worked closely with MICHAEL CERNOVICH during his time at the WH (AGENT NOTE: JOHNSON said CERNOVICH's phone number was ). JOHNSON did not believe BANNON respected the oath he took while serving at the WH. JOHNSON believed BANNON portrayed bad character for violating the terms of the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) signed while at the WH. (U//FOLIO) JOHNSON said BANNON and CERNOVICH targeted POWELL and other WH staffers. JOHNSON did not recall BANNON providing him information JOHNSON believed was sensitive and/or classified USG information. He did not recall BANNON ever hinting that information was sensitive and/or classified. JOHNSON described BANNON as a "Bull Shitter" and to discount about fifty percent of what he says. JOHNSON believed BANNON may have been compromised and his ego led him to leak classified information. (U//FOLIO) BANNON talked with multiple media outlets "constantly" and was "sloppy on how he conducted business." He described BANNON's leaking to the press as "systematic." JOHNSON recalled seeing a picture with a white board in the background with writing on it describing projects BANNON was working on. (U//FOUO) BANNON shared with JOHNSON that MAGGIE HABERMAN with The New York Times was one of BANNON's media contacts he leaked information to. Besides being a source of CERNOVICH and HABERMAN, JOHNSON said BANNON was also a source for the New York Post and Daily Mail newspapers. JOHNSON said he would sign an affidavit attesting to his description of BANNON. (U//FOLIO) JOHNSON did not believe BANNON did a good job vetting the people around him. BANNON was not organized and did not take the necessary precautions for someone in public office. JOHNSON "always knew he SECRET/,' EFTA00259529 FD-302a (Rev. 54-10) SECRET/AMMO (U//FOUO) Interview of Charles Johnson CollthualionofFD402of (aka) Chuck Johnson .0n 04/28/2020 pqp 4 of 9 would get a phone call about BANNON" and was surprised it took so long for the FBI to reach out. JOHNSON said BANNON was "for sale" and was promised money after he left the WH. (U//FOUO) JOHNSON recalled being present when CERNOVICH received a phone call from BANNON in regards to some National Security Council (NSC) material. JOHNSON questioned if it was appropriate for BANNON to be sharing NSC material with CERNOVICH. CERNOVICH disregarded JOHNSON's concern. BANNON talked with CERNOVICH and other media about the "unmasking" issue, but JOHNSON did not recall how he knew that. CERNOVICH never discussed how information was passed to him from BANNON (e.g. encrypted application or other means). (u//Fouo) JOHNSON said BANNON was close to the ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA (ZOA) and SHELDON ADELSON, who supports the group. JOHNSON described ZOA as "sketchy." He said ARTHUR SCHWARTZ was also involved in leaks and may be connected to ZOA (AGENT NOTE: JOHNSON said SCHWARTZ's phone number was ). He said SCHWARTZ leaked to the New York Post and "worked hand in glove" with BANNON. SCHWARTZ was close to Israeli donors and ingratiated himself to NSC staffers; DONALD TRUMP, JR; and BANNON. SCHWARTZ was not a fan of POTUS during the election but often attended events after the election. SCHWARTZ was an Israeli activist and public relations expert and may be an Israeli intelligence source. SCHWARTZ had friends on the NSC and often had lunch with WH interns. SCHWARTZ was known to have had ties with New York Post Reporter ARTHUR HINAGLOW (phonetic). (U//FOOO) JOHNSON said ZOA wanted H.R. MCMASTER removed as National Security Adviser with support from affiliates in the administration. JOHNSON said it was a concerted effort to smear and remove MCMASTER because of policy disagreements about Iran. (U//FOUO) JOHNSON told Agents to look at the ROSIE GRAY story in The Atlantic in which EZRA COHEN-WATNICK (COHEN) is mentioned. JOHNSON said COHEN leaked to the media. He said SCHWARTZ bragged to JOHNSON that COHEN provided him information. JOHNSON assumed SCHWARTZ only talked to COHEN and BANNON because of their relationships, but SCHWARTZ never told him those are SECRET/Argams EFTA00259530 FD-302a (Rev. 54-10) sEcRET/twertner. (U//FOUO) Interview of Charles Johnson ContthualionofFD402of (aka) Chuck Johnson .a4 04/28/2020 pqr 5 of 9 the only two people he talked to. JOHNSON said COHEN worked closely with BANNON and was fired from the NSC for leaking material. JOHNSON said SCHWARTZ also got information from another NSC staffer, JOSH S., who was Jewish. JOHNSON also said that EMILY SMITH told him that the MCMASTER "getting drunk" story was made up and she got it from SCHWARTZ. (U//F000) JOHNSON said it was interesting that SAFRA CATZ, who is the CEO of Oracle, was once considered for a senior national security position in the administration, was referenced in the "drunk story." (U//F000) CERNOVICH launched an article directed toward former National Security Adviser H.R. MCMASTER comparing him to a puppet and close to General DAVID PETRAEUS. JOHNSON did not speak out against the plot to fire MCMASTER. JOHNSON supported the US efforts in Iraq, but he did not agree with MCMASTER's Middle East policy. (U//FOLIO) In April 2017, around the time of the U.S. air strike in Syria, JOHNSON said on or about April 14, 2017, The Daily Beast reported that CERNOVICH planned to "drop the motherlode" if BANNON was fired from the White House. JOHNSON said the story described how CERNOVICH planned to release new information if BANNON was removed. JOHNSON said, "If you put a gun to my head," BANNON provided CERNOVICH the Syria air strike information. JOHNSON recalled POTUS announcing the 2017 air strikes in front of a Chinese delegation in Mar-a-Lago, Florida. JOHNSON recommended Agents contact MICHAEL ANTON in regards to leaks of classified information (AGENT NOTE: JOHNSON said ANTON's phone numbers were and said they were friends, but asked that Agents not use JOHNSON's name with ANTON). JOHNSON believed ANTON would state BANNON or COHEN leaked information. (U//FOUO) JOHNSON said BANNON used PREATE to communicate to the press. BANNON also used SCHWARTZ. JOHNSON said he was not sure who SCHWARTZ worked for. (U//FOLIO) JOHNSON said it was widely known among journalists that BANNON was CERNOVICH's source. (U//FOLIO) JOHNSON recalled receiving false harassment material on SECRET/AMIMMO EFTA00259531 FD-302a (Rev. 54-10) SECRET/WIDOW (U//FOUO) Interview of Charles Johnson CollthualionofFD402of (aka) Chuck Johnson ,On 04/28/2020 pqr 6 of 9 Senator CHUCK SCHUMER but could not remember if it was from BANNON or CERNOVICH. (U//FOOO) JOHNSON provided these additional individuals who may have insight on BANNON: • MICHAEL WOLFF: • BRIAN KENNEDY: . JOHNSON said Agents can use his name with KENNEDY. He said KENNEDY worked for the Committee on Present Danger. • MATTY and KATHY BECKERMAN: . JOHNSON said the BECKERMAN's made a movie with BANNON and claimed BANNON stole money from them. • REBECCA MERCER: . JOHNSON said BANNON stole money from her. JOHNSON said MERCER hates JOHNSON and was disappointed she felt that way about him. (U//FOLIO) BANNON and GUO WENGUI: (U//FOLIO) JOHNSON said BANNON maintained relationships with a lot of foreign nationals. In particular, BANNON had a business relationship with GUO WENGUI, (AGENT NOTE: Also known as MILES KWOK), who is a Chinese oligarch (AGENT NOTE: JOHNSON said WENGUI's phone number was ). BANNON was paid one million dollars from WENGUI, according to Axios reporting. JOHNSON believed WENGUI was a "spy" for the Chinese Government. JOHNSON said BANNON was first close to the MERCERS and then became close to WENGUI. JOHNSON believed that SAM NUNBERG may have introduced BANNON to WENGUI. JOHNSON recommended that Agents speak with KYLE BASS, who has met with WENGUI (AGENT NOTE: JOHNSON said BASS's phone number was (U//FOLIO) JOHNSON met with WENGUI in New York approximately one to two years ago. JOHNSON relayed the information from the meeting to the CIA. JOHNSON had an informal relationship with the CIA on non-USPERs. JOHNSON was not comfortable discussing the details of his meetings with the CIA. JOHNSON said members of his family served in the CIA and military and believed he came from a line of service. In part, that was why he wanted to help the FBI. (U//FOOO) BANNON was a guest speaker at various conferences hosted by Israeli and Chinese affiliated groups. JOHNSON recalled that BANNON gave a SECRET/Amens EFTA00259532 FD-302a (Rev. 54-10) secRET/JOIS (U//FOUO) Interview of Charles Johnson CollthualionofFD402of (aka) Chuck Johnson .0n 04/28/2020 pme 7 of 9 speech in Hong Kong in 2017. JOHNSON believed BANNON profited from his contacts after departing from the WH. (U//FOUO) JOHNSON said BANNON lived in an apartment building owned by a foreigner. He believed a look into BANNON's finances would identify foreign governments he was involved with. JOHNSON advised people and Congress to avoid BANNON. (U//FOUO) JOHNSON moved on from the relationship he previously held with BANNON. BANNON was aggressive towards JOHNSON and threatened him on multiple occasions. JOHNSON described BANNON as dishonest and untrustworthy person. BANNON used information JOHNSON shared in confidence regarding issues within his marriage against him. BANNON lied about relationships with intelligence agencies and constantly changed the story. (U//FOUO) JOHNSON directed Agents to talk with MICHAEL WALLER from the Center for Security Policy, concerning BANNON's relationship with WENGUI and potential leaks of classified information. JOHNSON described WALLER as a "patriot" and good friend (AGENT NOTE: JOHNSON provided WALLER's phone number as .) JOHNSON said WENGUI sued WALLER. (U//FOUO) JOHNSON also told Agents to review a September 2017 New York Times article about the "next stop for the BANNON insurgency," which discussed China and Hong Kong. (U//FOUO) JOHNSON added that JEFFREY WARNIK (phonetic) was pro-China and had connections to AirBnB. (U//FOLIO) BANNON and JEFFREY EPSTEIN: (U//FOUO) JOHNSON expressed concern that JEFFREY EPSTEIN was an Israeli spy. He and BANNON may have had a business relationship and EPSTEIN paid BANNON with money from the Israelis. JOHNSON referenced a news story about Israel and Stingray equipment found around the WH. BANNON may have utilized the technology to get information out of the WH. He said BANNON was close to EPSTEIN and that troubled JOHNSON as a father of young girl. He said BANNON met EPSTEIN at his New York home, and JOHNSON referred Agents to a New York Post article from 2018. SECRET/, EFTA00259533 FD-302a (Rev. 54-10) SECRET/, (U//FOUO) Interview of Charles Johnson ComthumionofFD402of (aka) Chuck Johnson (U//FOLIO) JULIAN ASSANGE: ,On 04/28/2020 pme 8 of 9 (U//FOUO) In August 2017, JOHNSON met JULIAN ASSANGE at the Embassy of Ecuador in London, United Kingdom. JOHNSON attended the meeting with California Congressman DANA ROHRABACHER to see what was going on. JOHNSON said he attended the meeting on behalf of the CIA. ASSANGE stated the Russians did not provide the leaked information to him. JOHNSON believed it was the Israelis, but then said he did not know and was speculating. (U//FOLIO) JAMES WOLFE: (U//FOUO) JOHNSON said he had contact with the former Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) Director of Security JAMES WOLFE. JOHNSON said WOLFE often met with a Vanity Fair reporter in the office two to three times a week and leaked to other journalists; not just the one he was prosecuted for. JOHNSON said he was upset the FBI only charged WOLFE for false statements. JOHNSON believed WOLFE leaked classified information. JOHNSON was pressured by WOLFE to testify in support of the "Russia probe." JOHNSON communicated with WOLFE a number of times and recorded the phone conversations and believed some of those conversations included classified information related to the Russia investigation. (U//FOLIO) Other Foreign Matters: (U//FOUO) JOHNSON said a woman runs a revenue fund out of Los Angeles and San Francisco for VLADIMIR PUTIN. (U//FOUO) He said if he could assist the FBI's San Francisco office they would "catch a Chinese spy a week." He knows a woman who runs money for the Chinese Government. JOHNSON said a Chinese woman, who contacted him about his facial recognition software and claimed to be working for GOGGLE, was actually looking to find a Taiwanese spy. (U//FOUO) JOHNSON said Agents can ask CLEMENTE, who had connections to the FBI San Francisco office about Chinese espionage and a program called "Sequoia" (AGENT NOTE: provided CLEMENTE's phone number as 5169.). SECRET/F*0MM EFTA00259534 FD-302a (Rev. 54-10) SECRET/. (U//F01.10) Interview of Charles Johnson ComthumionofFD402of (aka) Chuck Johnson ,On 04/28/2020 pnc 9 of 9 (U//FOOO) JOHNSON believed he was targeted by the Russian, Chinese, and Israeli governments. JOHNSON believed this was due to his previous work with BANNON and also the various USG projects he worked on. JOHNSON received weird phones calls and believed he was being monitored. For instance, JOHNSON said over a year ago, he believed he met with individuals associated with the Russian mob, who were posing as FBI. He said he called the incident into the FBI. (U//FOLIO) Additional Background Information: (U//FOOO) JOHNSON advised Agents that he was pro law enforcement and wants to be of service to the country. In the past, JOHNSON complained about how government agencies conducted its work but now wants to help. He said he was willing to be a source and even wear a wire or record his calls with BANNON. He said he would also risk his life for the FBI. JOHNSON preferred Agents contact him on the encrypted application SIGNAL. He said he answered this phone call because he was expecting a call from the White House and assumed the 202 number was the White House. (U//FOUO) JOHNSON's daughter and ex—wife were important to him and offered to assist the FBI as long as they both stay safe. JOHNSON last saw them in February 2020 and planned to see them on or about May 15, 2020. He said his ex-wife worked for a nurse uniform company. (U//FOUO) JOHNSON received backlash from the media for helping U.S. companies. JOHNSON hoped his prior involvement providing assistance to marijuana businesses in California or history with Bitcoin would not hinder his ability to work with the FBI. (U//FOUO) JOHNSON said his brother had a security clearance and worked for RAYTHEON. SECRET/Apsimmwra. EFTA00259535