The FBI on June 22 visited the Aptos home of a man with ties to New York attorney Rudy Giuliani for a “court-authorized law enforcement activity,” the FBI confirmed Monday.
An FBI spokesperson declined to comment further on the investigation into Scotts Valley businessman George Dickson III at his home in Meadow Ranch Estates, citing the “ongoing nature of the investigation.”
According to national media reports, Dickson worked with Giuliani—then the personal attorney for former President Donald Trump—to finance a documentary about then-presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden and their activities in Ukraine. Claims that Biden as Vice President inappropriately pushed Ukraine to fire a prosecutor to protect his son have never been proven.
Dickson is listed as founder and CEO of Scotts Valley-based Cannasortum, which is described in its website as representing the “next generation of cannabis companies,” and that he brings “40 years experience as a successful entrepreneur and business leader to the cannabis industry.”
He is also listed as Chairman of the Board of Directors, CEO and President of Seismic Warning Systems, and as founder and CEO of Continuity Capital Group, which offers business consulting services. Both companies are also based in Scotts Valley.
The New York State appellate court temporarily suspended Giuliani’s license to practice law on Thursday.
In the 33-page opinion, the court stated “that there is uncontroverted evidence that respondent communicated demonstrably false and misleading statements to courts, lawmakers and the public at large in his capacity as lawyer for former President Donald J. Trump and the Trump campaign in connection with Trump’s failed effort at reelection in 2020.”
“We conclude that respondent’s conduct immediately threatens the public interest and warrants interim suspension from the practice of law, pending further proceedings before the Attorney Grievance Committee,” the opinion states.
Dickson did not respond to messages seeking comment.
