Trump ally Tom Barrack pleads not guilty to illegal lobbying

• Filings by the Department of Justice allege that Barrack has ties to senior leaders of the UAE and Saudi Arabia, two countries that currently lack extradition treaties with the U.S.
• After authorities arrested him last week, Barrack posted a $250 million bail to get out of jail. While he awaits trial, a judge's order restricts him to New York, California and Colorado.

What he's saying: "Of course I am innocent of all these charges and we will prove that in court," Barrack said in a statement following his arraignment, according to ABC News.

• "Three miles from here, standing in the middle of New York Harbor, is the Statue of Liberty, with a torch in her hand signifying enlightenment," he said. "That statue is made of steel with a patina of copper. We’re in the middle of a very heated moment and I can only tell you that the hardest steel is forged from the hottest fire."