Leader Of Calexit Movement Called Int Question For Ties To Russia

[Stelio Kontos]

http://abc7news.com/politics/exclusi...ussia/1752988/

t would be easy to dismiss this as some fringe group trying to make California into its own country, but former intelligence officials tell the ABC7 News I-Team the ballot initiative leader's ties to Russia raise serious questions.

Louis Marinelli has received support in Russia from a far-right nationalist group that wants to break up the United States. Former intelligence officials say that association raises serious questions about his intent.

"You don't need this to be involved in California's campaign for independence," Marinelli said holding up an American flag.

He's the leader of the Yes California campaign, also dubbed Calexit. Marinelli is an American who lives in Russia, but his movement is getting a lot of attention stateside.

A recent Reuters poll found one in three Californians support the idea of withdrawing from the United States.

In January, Marinelli's group started collecting signatures for a ballot initiative that would amend the state constitution.

When asked by the I-Team if he was a U.S. citizen, Marinelli replied,"Yes."

We recently spoke with him from his home in Yekaterinburg. "I'm in Russia for a number of reasons," said Marinelli. "I have personal reasons. I want to be here and I have political goals to achieve while I'm here, one of which is to build a bridge between California and Russia."

He says his personal reasons center on his marriage. "My wife is a foreign national from Russia," he said. "As you can imagine, we've had difficulty and an expensive and difficult time navigating the immigration system."

Marinelli says California's approach to immigration and political ideology no longer mirror the rest of the country and for that reason it should be its own country.

The ballot measure would change California's constitution and allow it to begin the process for leaving the U.S. It would force a special election asking Californians if they want to be independent.

If yes, then congress would have to agree and so would two-thirds of the state legislatures.

"With that ability we will be able to establish the kind of liberal and progressive republic that we want in California," Marinelli told the ABC7 News I-Team. "But of ten can't have because of congress because of the White House, because of the supreme court."

He promoted the idea of an independent California at a conference in Moscow in 2016. Now, that's raising questions about whether Russia is behind the secession campaign.

The event was partially funded by a Kremlin-backed charity linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia is also providing rent-free office space for what Marinelli calls, "a California embassy in Moscow."

"We're a big state," said Leon Panetta, a former secretary of defense. "With a tremendous impact in terms of this country's economy and politics."

The former CIA chief says Californians should be weary of Russia's involvement. "If you can weaken the leadership of the United States in the world, Russia can be able to get away with a lot more of what they want to do."

Panetta says the CIA has long suspected Russia of using political turmoil as a weapon.

When asked if he would move back to the United States, Mainelli responded,"At some point in time I hope to return to California and live under the California flag without the American flag, sure."

We reached out to the FBI to see if Marinelli was under investigation, but the wouldn't comment.

Interesting, I wonder if this will change the attitude of a lot of the anti-Trump Calexit supporters.

Probably not.

[primalmatter]

I sometimes wonder if we at times give to much attention to fools with silly do nothing causes. We might be better off just ignoring them.

[Vizardlorde]

Us vs russia here we come.

[Deleted]

And who is surprised that russia have ties everywhere and just trying to screw everyone

[Independent voter]

Dammit Russia! Stop meddling in our internal affairs!

[PC2]

Obviously the people that are ok with Russia's annexation of Crimea should be alright with Russia helping the CA independence movement (and us merging with Canada)? Amirite?

It's free expression until it breaks a specific law. Anyone can make arguments or add to the discussion. The source is irrelevant.

[Aeluron Lightsong]

Obviously the people that are ok with Russia's annexation of Crimea should be alright with Russia helping the CA independence movement (and us merging with Canada)? Amirite?

I was never ok with teh annexation or whatever they did in Crimea(I call it invasion but whatevs). As for Cali leaving the US? Lol no, this is just Liberal version of texas.

[Deleted]

Surprise surprise, the Socialists are actually commies.

[Kaleredar]

Surprise surprise, the Socialists are actually commies.

And the Trump regime are actually dictators.

"Judge them by the company they keep," yes?

[Deleted]

And the Trump regime are actually dictators.

"Judge them by the company they keep," yes?

What dictators are these now?

[Kaleredar]

What dictators are these now?

So it's okay for the Trump cabinet to be in bed with Russia, but not some random guy in California?

[Daymanmb]

I sometimes wonder if we at times give to much attention to fools with silly do nothing causes. We might be better off just ignoring them.

You wonder? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milo_Yiannopoulos

[Vizardlorde]

So it's okay for the Trump cabinet to be in bed with Russia, but not some random guy in California?

Trump was not in bed with Russia, he was in bed with Russian hooker piss. Get your alt facts right.

[shrunken]

IT'S THE RED SCARE!!!

lmao