Overstock CEO: Peter Strzok Led 'Deep State' Political Espionage Targeting Trump
Patrick Byrne blows whistle after resigning, names Strzok, Comey, McCabe in operation
© press
Former Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne resigned from the company he founded on Thursday, and shortly after, starting blowing the whistle on an alleged "deep state" political espionage operation targetting President Donald Trump.
Byrne was forced to stand down from online retailer Overstock.com after releasing a statement last week saying he had been asked by law enforcement to help target Trump and Hillary Clinton.
Standing down on Thursday morning, after stock prices took a nosedive in the wake of the statement, Bryne said he's become “far too controversial” to continue leading his company.
“Though patriotic Americans are writing me in support, my presence may affect and complicate all manner of business relationships, from insurability to strategic discussions regarding our retail business,” he said.
After resigning, Mr. Byrne went on a media blitz, revealing further details about his involvement in the alleged "deep state" operation.
The billionaire Overstock founder says disgraced former FBI agent Peter Strzok pulled him into what was — unbeknownst to Byrne — a political espionage operation targeting President Trump, Hillary Clinton, Ted Cruz, and Marco Rubio.
© press
According to The Blaze, last month, investigative reporter Sara Carter reported that Byrne reached out to the FBI in 2015 after meeting Russian gun-rights activist Maria Butina and questioning her motives.
Byrne says after being given the all-clear, he became involved in a romantic relationship with Butina, and later rekindled the intimate relationship at the behest of federal law enforcement.
The young woman has since pleaded guilty to not registering as a foreign agent.
Last week, Byrne confirmed in a news release to shareholders that he had, as Carter reported, assisted in what he thought were "legitimate law enforcement efforts" with "what are now known as the 'Clinton Investigation' and the 'Russian Investigation.'"
Over the following days, CNBC reported, Overstock's shares tumbled more than 30 percent.
Thursday morning, Byrne resigned, and his company's stock price rebounded.
That afternoon, Byrne first made his bombshell announcement on Fox Business Network that Peter Strzok was the FBI operative who gave him orders during 2015 and 2016 as part of a deep state conspiracy, claiming, "I know much more than I should know."
Byrne was brought to tears discussing how his mentor, Warren Buffet, pressed him to come forward with what he knew, before disclosing that he was offered a $1 billion bribe to keep quiet.
Byrne did not disclose the source of the bribe.
© press
Thursday evening, Byrne went on Fox News echoing the same story he recalled to Fox Business Network.
He told host Martha MacCallum that "the FBI is barely involved in this, it's all the top," before saying his orders came from since-fired FBI agent Peter Strzok, since-fired FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, since-fired FBI Director James Comey, and others.
Byrne reiterated to MacCallum that "this was all political espionage conducted against Hillary Clinton, [Marco] Rubio, [Ted] Cruz, and [Donald] Trump."
The former CEO also revealed that he, himself, "helped them set up Hillary Clinton to be blackmailed."
Byrne disclosed later in the interview that the "top" officials he referenced (and refused to name) were in the Obama administration.
In yet another interview Thursday night, Byrne reiterated to CNN's Chris Cuomo that he was told James Comey was giving him orders during the Obama administration.
Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne says the FBI in 2015/2016 reached out to him and got him to help with law enforcement activities that turned out to be political espionage against Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Marco Rubio, and Ted Cruz
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) August 23, 2019
Byrne says the request came from Peter Strzok pic.twitter.com/ArfL8bpzdx
BREAKING: Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne claims former FBI Director James Comey was involved in this entire operation pic.twitter.com/4zfuwBftaM
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) August 23, 2019
The Daily Wire's Ryan Saavedra shared the footage on Twitter.
During his Fox Business interview, Byrne said he received "fishy orders" from ex-FBI official Strzok during the early stages of the Russia Probe.
Byrne concluded that the investigation is "all about political espionage" and that he thinks “we are about to see the biggest scandal in American history.”
