Georgian Parliament official: Congressman Joe Wilson’s “love” for Georgia priced at $360,000

Levan Makhashvili, the Chair of the Committee on European Integration of the Georgian Parliament, on Tuesday claimed that the true cost of US Congressman Joe Wilson's “love and friendship” for Georgia was $360,000.

Makhashvili’s comments came after the documents published on the US Department of Justice’s Foreign Agents Registration Act website had revealed that Georgia’s opposition United National Movement party had retained the services of American lobbying firm Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough. Congressman Joe Wilson is among recipients of the firm’s donations.

“We said that sooner or later, the day would come when it would become clear that money was actually behind Joe Wilson's activism. Today we learned the price of Joe Wilson's 'love and friendship' for Georgia. This is $360,000, approximately one million GEL”, the official said.

Makhashvili further elaborated, drawing a parallel to past instances of alleged financial gain in Georgian politics.

“We remember in Georgian politics that many tried to earn millions, and it seems that Mr. Sanikidze has now been joined by Mr. Wilson, who is trying to earn millions from Georgian politics”, Makhashvili concluded.