Up to $6 million/ Democratic Party lobbies in the US with Susie Wiles' daughter and Rubio's former chief of staff

The Albanian American Foundation will pay a figure that could reach up to $6 million to an American company, owned by people close to President Donald Trump, to lobby on behalf of the Democratic Party with the US government.

Capital reveals the full lobbying contract signed by Nuredin Seci, an Albanian-American living in New York and former advisor to President Trump, Carlo Trujillo, in his capacity as President of Continental Strategy.

In parallel, the contract was also signed by the Secretary General of the Democratic Party, Flamur Noka, in the capacity of the beneficiary, an obligation required by American law.

DP lobbying contract

According to the contract, the lobbying company will provide the following services on behalf of the Democratic Party:

1- Establish relationships with key stakeholders in the U.S. government and Congress to facilitate policy development.
2- Support for promoting democracy, anti-corruption initiatives, and government reforms consistent with U.S.-Albania relations.
3- Leverage extensive experience in government relations, policy advocacy, legal envoys, and stakeholder engagement in line with the objectives of the Democratic Party and its coalition, the Alliance for Greater Albania.

But how much will this service cost?

“The Client (through its Guarantor) will pay the Firm a monthly retainer of $250,000 for a comprehensive support package of lobbying, advocacy and strategic litigation initiatives for a period of 24 months (“Monthly Retainer”) and in accordance with the Agreement Term. Payment for the first three months (down payment) will be made upon signing this Agreement,” the contract signed on April 4 states.

So, the money will be paid by the Albanian American Foundation, which is represented by Nuredin Seci, while the DP does not pay a single penny but receives the lobbying service.

DP lobbying contract

The guarantor of the lucrative contract is Nuredin Seci, an Albanian-American originally from Tropoja, who lives in New York.

Continental Strategy

But who is behind the company Continental Strategy?

The company was founded in 2021 by his advisor Carlos Trujillo. Mr. Trujillo founded Continental shortly after Trump left office, having served in his first administration as ambassador to the Organization of American States.

Carlos Trujillo

Carlos Trujillo

Just days after Donald Trump was re-elected as US President for a second time, Continental announced a promotion for Katie Willes, the daughter of Susie Willes, who served as President Trump's campaign manager.

A few days later, Continental hired Alberto Martinez, a former chief of staff to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as a managing partner to help further grow Continental.

Meanwhile, in mid-December last year the firm hired Trump campaign deputy political director Alex Garcia as a partner.

The choice of a company owned by people in the inner circle of US President Donald Trump seems to be no coincidence. Through this contract, the Democratic Party apparently seeks more access to the top of the White House, but also the resolution of some problems from the past.

Not coincidentally, the first service the lobbying company has provided for the DP is a phone conversation with Dan Holler, the chief of staff to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the man who has the power to undo the non grata designation of Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha by former Secretary Blinken.

DP lobbying contract

The largest lobbying contract in history

The one between the Democratic Party and Continental Strategy is the largest lobbying contract in the history of Albania. According to the annexes of the contract, the Democratic Party will pay the American company a full 6 million dollars for lobbying in the United States, over the two years of the contract.

So far, the largest lobbying contract of an Albanian political party in the United States of America has been that of the Democratic Party, during the time it was led by Lulzim Basha in 2017.

At that time, Mr. DP paid about $1 million for lobbying services in the US, through a shell company from Scotland, called Biniatta Trade. But this was an action that opened up quite a few problems for Mr. Basha, as Biniatta turned out to be connected to several Russian citizens.

An investigation was opened in the United States by the FBI for this matter, where Mr. Muzin agreed to cooperate with the American authorities. In parallel, an investigation was also opened by the Albanian prosecution against Mr. Basha, but the case was closed. Meanwhile, Sali Berisha's people accused Lulëzim Basha that the lobbying affair was the mechanism that held the opposition leader hostage by the government of Edi Rama and segments of the American embassy in Tirana.

However, the figure paid by Lulëzim Basha seems like crumbs compared to the hefty contract signed by Sali Berisha and Flamur Noka's DP.

A lot of money, from the opposition of one of the poorest countries in Europe. / Capital

Kontrata e lobimit të PD

Kontrata e lobimit të PD

Carlos Trujillo

Kontrata e lobimit të PD