U.S. charges top Russian lawmaker, two staffers over alleged influence scheme

FILE PHOTO: The Russian flag flutters on the Consulate-General of the Russian Federation in New York City, U.S., April 15, 2021. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

NEW YORK (Reuters) -U.S. prosecutors on Thursday unsealed an indictment charging a senior Russian politician and two staff members of conspiring to illegally advance Russia's interests in the United States, including by reaching out to members of Congress.

The defendants include Aleksandr Babakov, 59, the deputy chairman of the state Duma, the lower house of Russia's legislature, who is an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.