A Canadian man who has been linked to an alleged Russian influencer operation has reportedly received thousands of dollars in fees from the United States.
According to a report from the U.S. Department of Justice, the man, whose identity has not been disclosed, was paid over $6,000 in fees for his involvement in the operation.
The operation, which was allegedly run by a Russian national, aimed to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election through social media platforms.
The Canadian man, who has not been charged with any crimes, was reportedly recruited by the Russian national to create and manage social media accounts that spread false information and divisive content.
The report states that the Canadian man received payments through PayPal and cryptocurrency, and was also reimbursed for expenses related to the operation.
The U.S. Department of Justice has not provided any further details about the Canadian man’s involvement in the operation.
This news comes as the U.S. continues to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election and potential ties to the Trump campaign.
The Canadian government has not yet commented on the report, but has previously stated that it takes any attempts to interfere in democratic processes seriously.
The U.S. Department of Justice has also charged 13 Russian nationals and three Russian companies for their alleged involvement in the operation.
The investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election is ongoing, and more information is expected to be released in the coming months.
