Russian man spent years as puppeteer behind US political groups, officials say

Aleksandr Viktorovich Ionov charged over accusations he sought to spread division and propaganda and meddle in elections

A Russian man orchestrated a yearslong effort to puppeteer political groups in Florida, Georgia and California to sow discord in the US, spread pro-Russia propaganda and meddle in American elections, justice department officials alleged on Friday.

Aleksandr Viktorovich Ionov of Moscow was charged with conspiring to have US citizens act as illegal agents of the Russian government, according to a justice department statement. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison.