A senior Cambodian government figure has enlisted American legal representation in response to proposed US legislation targeting international cyber-fraud networks.
Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Sokha has retained New York attorney Robert Seiden, according to recent filings under the US Foreign Agent Registration Act. The move comes as a bill creating a task force to combat global online scams gains momentum with bipartisan support in Washington.
The legislation originally included Sokha on a list of potential targets, along with the Prince Group conglomerate and its chairman, Chen Zhi. While the current draft has removed that list, Sokha’s legal team is working to address what they describe as an unfair inclusion in earlier versions.
“Legal counsel will present evidence demonstrating his innocence and respond to certain reports that lack factual basis and integrity,” said Interior Ministry spokesperson Touch Sokhak.
The filings show Seiden’s firm will assist in communications with the Treasury Department, which oversees sanctions. Sokha agreed to pay $150,000 for these services, while another firm, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, will receive $135,000 for congressional lobbying.
Seiden has connections to former Trump administration officials and the Trump Organization. His firm will manage the lobbying efforts, though he declined to discuss specifics.
The Treasury recently imposed additional sanctions on entities linked to the Prince Group, alleging involvement in scam operations using trafficked workers. A Prince Group spokesperson rejected these claims as baseless.
Sokha was previously a founding director of a Jin Bei Group firm alongside Chen Zhi but left that role in August 2018. He denies any ongoing investments or links to the group.
“Regarding his past association with Chen Zhi, it was merely an ordinary social relationship,” Sokhak said, adding that retaining legal counsel is a fundamental right to protect against unfounded accusations.
Experts note a growing trend of foreign officials hiring US lobbying firms, with calls for greater transparency in such arrangements.