Adam Kinzinger Linked To Pro-Ukrainian Org Under Federal Probe, Accused Of Scamming People

OPINION:  This article contains commentary which may reflect the author’s opinion

Former Illinois representative and Republican Adam Kinzinger voluntarily stepped down at the end of his 2022 term in Congress.

Reportedly, insiders say he stepped down precisely because he knew he wouldn’t win reelection. Not only because he’d supported former President Donald Trump’s impeachment, but also because of his left-wing positions on an array of issues.

Kinzinger, during his tenure in Congress, was one of the staunchest supporters of Ukraine and was continually outspoken about Ukraine’s war with Russia and the part that he felt the United States should play in it.

Kinzinger was a proponent of massive aid to Ukraine.

In official press releases, floor statements, newsletters to constituents, tweets, and Facebook posts between February and October 2022, Kinzinger mentioned “Ukraine,” “Russia,” and “Putin” a total of 986 times according to data compiled by Quorum, Axios reported last year before Kinzinger bowed out of Congress.

With the upcoming 2024 presidential election gaining steam, and as the conservative and RINO factions of the Republican party draw lines in the sand, those who are leaning toward liberal in philosophy or activities are seeing themselves highlighted, as in the case of the disgraced Kinzinger. Now it seems there is more disgrace highlighted for the former representative.

Kinzinger reportedly was and may still be a board member of a pro-Ukrainian organization that allegedly bilked people out of their money and was allegedly involved in some nefarious activities.

The proof of his membership comes directly from the organization, Ripley’s Heroes, which was reportedly founded by a retired U.S. Marine named Lt. Col. Hunter Ripley Rawlings IV. Look what the organization posted to Twitter last September:

“Today, we’d like to announce that veteran, congressman and true friend of Ukraine, Representative Adam Kinzinger will be joining the Ripley’s Heroes Board of Advisors,” the tweet above reads.

That may seem to be a positive announcement, but the problem is that the organization he enthusiastically joined is now under federal investigation for shipping military equipment to Ukraine without any paper trail, according to The New York Times.

“Last spring, a volunteer group called Ripley’s Heroes said it had spent approximately $63,000 on night-vision and thermal optics. Some of the equipment was subject to American export restrictions because, in the wrong hands, it could give enemies a battlefield advantage,” the Times reported Saturday.

“Frontline volunteers said Ripley’s delivered the equipment to Ukraine without required documentation listing the actual buyers and recipients. Recently, the federal authorities began investigating the shipments, U.S. officials said.”

“Colonel Rawlings has said that his group is awaiting American nonprofit status. But he has not revealed his spending or proof of a nonprofit application to The Times or to donors who have asked. So it is not clear where the money is going,” according to the paper.

Those who were duped are now speaking out.

“I believed these guys. And they took me for a fool,” one donor, Shaun Stants, said. According to the Times, Stants organized a fundraiser in October but was never shown the financial records he’d apparently asked for.

“Corporate records in Poland and the United States show that Colonel Rawlings also started a for-profit company called Iron Forge. In an interview, he said he expected his charity and others to pay Iron Forge for transportation, meaning that donor money would be used to finance his private venture,” according to the Times. However, Rawlings tried to defend this by claiming Iron Forge will eventually send money back to his other groups, Biz Pac Review reported

Musk’s new Twitter is an open forum for those who have questions about these connections and are drawing the lines between information. With all this in mind, critics are now demanding answers from Kinzinger and peppering him with criticism.

Biz Pac Review pointed out:

Note what one critic wrote: “And he also tried to bilk people out of money by charging them 100$ each for autographed January sixth reports.” Believe it or not, but the Twitter user is correct.

“For $100, you can own a signed copy of the House Select Committee’s final report on the January 6th riot at the U.S. Capitol,” CBS News reported in January. “Former U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, one of the two Republicans who served on the committee, is selling autographed copies of the hard-bound book on his Country First PAC website. You can even make installment payments of $25.”

In fairness, he claimed all proceeds would be directed toward the U.S. Capitol Police Memorial Fund, which reportedly supports the families of fallen officers.

As the war continues to rage between Ukraine and Russia, President Biden has procured a $2 billion package of aid for Ukraine in February and this month asked Congress to set aside more than $6 billion to help support Ukraine in the next year. Last year Congress approved more than $113 billion in aid to Ukraine for military and humanitarian assistance that included the transfer of tanks, ammunition and advanced weapons.

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