Georgian opposition's Formula TV to pay $420,000 to US lobbying company

Formula TV of Georgian opposition, founded by ex-Minister of Defense of Georgia David Kezerashvili, signed a $420,000-worth contract with the American lobbying company Cornerstone, the US Department of Justice said, Report informs via Sputnik-Georgia.

Formula is one of three opposition TV channels that sharply criticize the country's authorities. The ruling party calls the outlet the press service of the largest opposition party, the United National Movement. The ruling party has long been saying that Kezerashvili finances the National Movement, noting that this powerful politician of the times when Mikheil Saakashvili was the president is now an oligarch. He was the Minister of Defense of Georgia in 2006-2008.

According to a document published by the US Department of Justice, the lobbying company, among other things, will provide information about the situation around Formula TV to the US media, think tanks and organizations, promoting the interests of the channel.

The contract was concluded on May 21, 2023. It was signed by the director of Formula TV Zurab Gumbaridze. The term of the contract is 12 months. Payment for services will be made in four installments of $105,000.