McGee and Kent also appear to have used a middle man. Stephen Alford was found guilty of the extortion (he got the minimum sentence of five years, so with time served he went directly to 3yrs probation). This guy was obviously a patsy: previous convictions of fraud and adept at spinning a yarn about using the money to get Levinson out of Iran. I'd bet he was recruited based on his criminal history and experience as a confidence man. The "missing" FBI audio is the possible link between McGee/Kent and Alford.

Edit: Oh my God Kent went in CNN and admitted to extortion while denying it.

McGee and Kent also appear to have used a middle man. Stephen Alford was found guilty of the extortion (he got the minimum sentence of five years, so with time served he went directly to 3yrs probation). This guy was obviously a patsy: previous convictions of fraud and adept at spinning a yarn about using the money to get Levinson out of Iran. I'd bet he was recruited based on his criminal history and experience as a confidence man. The "missing" FBI audio is the possible link between McGee/Kent and Alford.

Edit: (Oh my God Kent went in CNN and admitted to extortion while denying it)[https://www.mediaite.com/tv/watch-chris-cuomo-questions-former-air-force-intel-officer-gaetz-accused-of-being-part-of-extortion-scheme/].

McGee and Kent also appear to have used a middle man. Stephen Alford was found guilty of the extortion (he got the minimum sentence of five years, so with time served he went directly to 3yrs probation). This guy was obviously a patsy: previous convictions of fraud and adept at spinning a yarn about using the money to get Levinson out of Iran. I'd bet he was recruited based on his criminal history and experience as a confidence man. The "missing" FBI audio is the possible link between McGee/Kent and Alford.