Overstock CEO says he dated Russian agent Maria Butina, got involved in a nebulous 'Deep State' conspiracy
Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne and convicted unregistered Russian foreign agent Maria Butina were romantically involved, Byrne and Butina's lawyer Robert Driscoll confirmed to The New York Times. But it's not clear why Byrne made that relationship public, first hinting about it in a strange Overstock press release Monday, or how it relates to what he calls a "Deep State" plot involving "political espionage conducted against Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump."
Byrne's accounting of their three-year relationship is pretty straightforward: Butina introduced herself at a libertarian conference in Las Vegas in July 2015, he wasn't interested in her pitch about her Russian gun-rights group but agreed to have breakfast with her when she said the top Russian central bank official she worked for wanted Byrne to come talk about blockchain technology in Moscow. They hit it off and kept in touch over text message, and the relationship quickly became romantic once they met at a New York hotel in September 2015.
Byrne, a self-described "56-year-old bachelor," says he grew suspicious of Butina, 30 and serving 18 months in prison, and her intentions as their relationship continued. Eventually, he told the Times, he began to communicate with the FBI about their interactions, during which Butina started talking more about meeting people involved in Clinton and Trump's presidential campaigns. Their relationship was concurrent with Butina's other known romantic involvement, with Republican operative Paul Erickson.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
According to Driscoll, Byrne contacted him after Butina's sentencing and disclosed that he had been in contact with the FBI, and Byrne's story prompted him to write to Justice Department officials on July 25, claiming Byrne said he had "acted at the direction of the government and federal agents by, at their instruction, kindling a romantic relationship with her." Byrne didn't make that claim to the Times, but he did say he's still "quite fond" of Butina and he came forward because he thinks the feds mishandled its investigation of her.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures A flooded island, a ballistic missile, and more
By Anahi Valenzuela, The Week US Published
-
Who actually needs life insurance?
The Explainer If you have kids or are worried about passing on debt, the added security may be worth it
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Sexual wellness trends to know, from products and therapies to retreats and hotels
The Week Recommends Talking about pleasure and sexual health is becoming less taboo
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bid
Speed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney and DeSantis reach detente
Speed Read The Florida governor and Disney settle a yearslong litigation over control of the tourism district
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Visa and Mastercard agree to lower swipe fees
Speed Read The companies will cap the fees they charge businesses when customers use their credit cards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Reddit IPO values social media site at $6.4 billion
Speed Read The company makes its public debut on the New York Stock Exchange
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Housing costs: the root of US economic malaise?
speed read Many voters are troubled by the housing affordability crisis
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Feds cap credit card late fees at $8
speed read The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule to save households an estimated $10 billion a year
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published