Reston Translator and Garziglia Register Under Foreign Agent Act

Reston Translator, which broadcasts Russia-funded radio station Sputnik, registered as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), said the FARA website. Reston Translator’s managing member John Garziglia, a broadcast attorney with Womble Bond, also had to file a registration form under a provision of the act that requires officers and directors of registered companies to do so. In the company’s registration statement, Garziglia argued DOJ was wrong to require registration. “Reston Translator LLC is not an agent, representative, employee, or servant, or any person who acts in any other capacity at the order, request, or under the direction or control, of a foreign principal,” the form said. “Reston Translator LLC does not qualify for registration under the Act, but is doing so at your direction. We do so because we have been directed to do so, not because it is required by the law.” Neither DOJ nor Garziglia commented.