PRESS RELEASES
Contact Information:
Federal Defenders of New York
Andrew Dalack
(212) 417-8768
Release Date:
January 6, 2025
Favorable Result in United States v. Pierre Girgis
The Federal Defenders of New York are pleased to announce a favorable result on behalf our client Mr. Pierre Girgis, who accepted a plea deal on August 14, 2024 to a class B misdemeanor for sharing a document regarding Egyptian expatriates’ conscription obligations behalf of the Egyptian consulate in lieu of the felony Foreign Agent Registration Act charges he initially faced. On October 15, 2024, the Honorable Judge Katherine Polk Failla declined to impose any period of incarceration, fine, or probation.
The Government’s January 2022 indictment alleged that Mr. Girgis had violated 18 USC § 951 and conspired to do the same in violation of 18 USC § 371 by acting as an unregistered foreign agent of Egypt to protect President Abdelfattah Sisi’s political interests in the United States. He faced up to 15 years in prison. But after aggressive motion practice and an extensive, written mitigation submission on Mr. Girgis’s behalf, the government dropped the felony charges and Mr. Girgis resolved his case through a plea to a petty offense.
Mr. Girgis, a United States citizen, and proud member of his Coptic Egyptian community, is delighted to be able to return to his social and professional life unburdened of the stigma associated with the government’s excessive felony allegations. He plans to continue to be an advocate for his community and to raise awareness of how the Foreign Agent Registration Act and 18 U.S.C. § 951 can conflict with Americans’ freedom of expression and political activism in a globalized and interconnected society.
United States v. Pierre Girgis is a unique prosecution that reveals how personal relationships between U.S. persons and foreigners, particularly foreign government officials, can expose even unwitting U.S. persons to invasive criminal investigation given the government’s interpretation of FARA. There does not even have to be a limiting principle, like payment or compensation; rather, as long as a U.S. person acts at the behest of a foreign principal to advance the principal’s interest, and fails to notify the Attorney General, the U.S. person’s activities would seem to implicate FARA, regardless of whether the interest at stake also aligns with American interests.
Through it all, Mr. Girgis remained steadfast and patient, knowing that he would eventually be vindicated. As he stated in his allocution before Judge Failla, “When I made the decision to enter the plea, it was not out of fear or concern for what would happen next. I have not lived in fear for these past five years. My family taught me to face challenges head-on, never to turn away or run, even when escape might have been an option. Instead, I remained calm and chose to go through the challenge.” Congratulations to Mr. Girgis, his family, and his legal team for the outstanding result.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Pierre Girgis
Email: [email protected]
Date: January 6, 2025
Pierre Girgis Reflects on a Long Battle, Resolution, and the Call for Reform
New York, NY — First and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude to God for His grace, and to my family, friends, and my wife for their unwavering support throughout this process. I am also profoundly thankful to my attorneys, Andrew Dalack, Jacob Eisenmann, and Michael Arthus, whose dedication and commitment guided me through these turbulent years.
Today, January 6, 2025, a date of profound significance in my Coptic faith as the eve of Christmas, I announce the resolution of a long and grueling chapter in my life. For six years, I faced accusations that tested every fiber of my being—accusations that cast doubt not only on my actions but on my character and intentions. Despite enduring years of relentless punches, I stood tall, holding fast to the values my family taught me: to face adversity as a man, with dignity, faith, and strength.
A Journey Marked by Resilience
For those unfamiliar with my story, it began in 2019 when I was first confronted with allegations shaped by tunnel vision—a self-fulfilling prophecy born of outdated laws and unchecked discretion. Exactly three years ago, on January 6, 2022, my case became public, and I turned myself in, stepping into a storm that few could imagine. That day, the full force of the government was directed at me under a law so ambiguous and poorly defined that it left little room for clarity or fairness.
The accusations were harsh and relentless, driven by assumptions rather than truth. I felt the weight of a system determined to prove a narrative instead of seeking justice. But through it all, I stood firm—not to fight back, but to hold my ground, trusting in the process and in my own truth. Even as the punches landed, I chose to remain standing, because I knew that the strength of my faith and my values would outlast the storm.
A Call for Reform
Reflecting on this journey, I remain steadfast in my belief in the importance of safeguarding national security. Protecting our country from external threats is essential, but laws like the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) must align with the values of fairness and clarity they were meant to uphold.
FARA, built nearly a century ago to combat propaganda in an era of overt foreign adversaries, has become a tool prone to overreach and misinterpretation. Each time it is patched to fit modern challenges, it creates new issues instead of resolving its original flaws—like outdated code that cannot support today’s needs. Instead of fostering transparency, it fosters confusion; instead of promoting fairness, it leaves room for bias.
This experience has strengthened my resolve to advocate for reform—not just of the law itself, but of the processes and accountability of those who enforce it. A system focused solely on protecting itself will fail the people it is meant to serve. Liberty, justice, and fairness must be upheld—not as lofty ideals, but as rights. While I am not looking to punch back, I am free to demand liberty, and I will continue to do so.
A Moment of Renewal
January 6 is not just the day my story became public—it is also the eve of Christmas in my Coptic tradition, a time of renewal, hope, and the triumph of light over darkness. Sharing my story today is deeply personal. It is a reminder that resilience and faith can carry us through even the darkest times, and that every battle offers lessons to shape a brighter future.
This is not the end of my story—it is the beginning of something greater. I remain committed to advocating for justice, reform, and the principles that unite us all.
