# Joseph Mifsud: Comprehensive Investigation Report ![[Joseph Mifsud.png]] [[Crossfire Hurricane]] ## Executive Summary **Joseph Mifsud** (born 1960) is a British/Maltese academic who became a central figure in the Trump-Russia investigation known as "Crossfire Hurricane." He is alleged to have told Trump campaign advisor George Papadopoulos in April 2016 that Russia possessed "dirt" on [[Hillary Clinton]] in the form of "thousands of emails," a conversation that ultimately triggered the FBI's counterintelligence investigation. Mifsud has been missing since October 2017, with his current status—dead, alive, or in hiding—remaining one of the most significant unsolved mysteries in modern American political investigations. ## Personal Background and Education ### Origins and Citizenship - **Born**: [1960 in Malta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Mifsud) - **Citizenship**: [British/Maltese dual citizenship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Mifsud) - **Languages**: Speaks [nine languages including Maltese, English, Arabic, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and Slovenian](https://it.insideover.com/schede/politics/joseph-mifsud-who-is-he.html) ### Educational Background - **Bachelor's Degree**: [Education from University of Malta (1982)](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2009_2014/documents/empa/dv/emuni20100223_04_/emuni20100223_04_en.pdf) - **Master's Degree**: [Education from University of Padua, Italy (1989)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Mifsud) - **PhD**: [Queen's University Belfast (1995) - thesis titled "Managing Educational Reform: A Comparative Approach from Malta (and Northern Ireland); a Headteachers' Perspective"](https://euroblog.jonworth.eu/wp-content/uploads/2005/08/mifsud.html) ## Academic and Professional Career ### Early Career in Malta (1990s-2007) - **1997-2007**: [Head of Department, Faculty of Education, University of Malta](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2009_2014/documents/empa/dv/emuni20100223_04_/emuni20100223_04_en.pdf) - **2000**: [Head of European Unit at University of Malta, later Director of International Office](https://euroblog.jonworth.eu/wp-content/uploads/2005/08/mifsud.html) - **1999**: [Assisted in founding Link Campus University (subsidiary of University of Malta)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Mifsud) - **2006-2008**: [Chef de cabinet of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malta](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2009_2014/documents/empa/dv/emuni20100223_04_/emuni20100223_04_en.pdf) Mifsud left the University of Malta under controversial circumstances in 2007, with [auditors questioning his financial management and threatening termination before he resigned](https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2018/10/23/bizarre-academic-career-joseph-mifsud). ### European Positions (2008-2016) - **2008-2012**: [President of Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI) in Slovenia](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2009_2014/documents/empa/dv/emuni20100223_04_/emuni20100223_04_en.pdf) - **2012-2016**: [Director of London Academy of Diplomacy](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43488581) - **2013-2017**: [Principal at London Centre of International Law Practice (LCILP)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Mifsud) - **2017**: [Professorial Teaching Fellow at University of Stirling, Scotland](https://brignews.com/2017/11/04/what-we-know-so-far-about-joseph-mifsud/) ### Key Institutional Affiliations - **Link Campus University, Rome**: [Director of International Relations, associated with Italian intelligence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Link_Campus_University) - **European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR)**: [Member as of 2017](https://www.aalep.eu/profile-european-council-foreign-relations-ecfr) - **London Centre of International Law Practice**: [Senior role, organization with State Department contracts](https://themarketswork.com/2018/05/10/ties-that-bind-stefan-halper-joseph-mifsud-alexander-downer-papadopoulos/) ## Role in Trump-Russia Investigation ### The Papadopoulos Connection On **March 14, 2016**, Mifsud met [[George Papadopoulos]] at Link Campus University in Rome, shortly after [Papadopoulos joined the Trump campaign](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossfire_Hurricane_\(FBI_investigation\)). This meeting initiated a series of interactions that would become central to the Russia investigation: - **March 24, 2016**: [Second meeting in London with a Russian woman falsely presented as "Putin's niece"](https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/horowitz-report-russia-investigation-questions-remaining-928081/) - **April 26, 2016**: [Critical breakfast meeting at London's Andaz Hotel where Mifsud allegedly told Papadopoulos that Russia had "dirt" on Hillary Clinton in the form of "thousands of emails"](https://themoscowproject.org/breaking-down-the-mueller-report/breaking-down-the-mueller-report-what-george-papadopoulos-knew/index.html) ### Crossfire Hurricane Investigation Papadopoulos later shared this information with Australian diplomat [[Alexander Downer]] in May 2016, who reported it to U.S. authorities. This intelligence became the ["sole predication" for opening the FBI's Crossfire Hurricane investigation on July 31, 2016](https://www.justice.gov/storage/120919-examination.pdf). ### FBI Interview and Disappearance - **February 2017**: [Mifsud interviewed by FBI in Washington D.C.](https://thehill.com/hilltv/rising/404275-what-professor-really-told-fbi-about-trump-russia-and-papadopoulos/) - **February 11, 2017**: [Left the United States](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/1707354/doj-watchdog-finds-no-evidence-that-mysterious-professor-joseph-mifsud-was-fbi-source/) - **October 31, 2017**: [Last confirmed contact with his Ukrainian fiancée](https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/16pd1o5/the_case_of_joseph_mifsud_maltese_professor_and/) - **November 1, 2017**: [Disappeared after Italian media identified him as the "professor" in the Papadopoulos case](https://telegraphmediagroup.com/2020-02-13/) ## Intelligence Connections and Allegations ### Western Intelligence Links Mifsud's extensive connections to Western governments, intelligence agencies, and diplomatic circles include: - **Training Programs**: [Taught at institutions that trained FBI, CIA, and intelligence officers](https://www.realclearinvestigations.com/articles/2018/05/26/the_maltese_phantom_of_russiagate_.html) - **Government Contacts**: [Photographed with Boris Johnson, former UK Foreign Secretary](https://time.com/5633912/joseph-mifsud-mueller-testimony/) - **State Department**: [Spoke at events organized by Global Ties U.S., a State Department partner organization](https://www.cnn.com/2017/11/08/politics/joseph-mifsud-trump-russia-investigation) - **NATO and Military**: [Connections to NATO personnel and former intelligence officials](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/oct/20/joseph-mifsud-identity-called-trump-russia-probe-o/) ### Russian Contacts Despite denying Russian connections, Mifsud had documented interactions with Russian officials: - **Valdai Discussion Club**: [Regular participant at Putin's premier think tank](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/31/world/europe/russia-us-election-joseph-mifsud.html) - **Russian Embassy**: [Met with Russian Ambassador to UK Alexander Yakovenko and embassy representatives](https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/10/mystery-professor-in-mueller-case-had-contacts-with-russian-officials/) - **Academic Exchanges**: [Invited Russian officials to London Academy of Diplomacy](https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/10/mystery-professor-in-mueller-case-had-contacts-with-russian-officials/) - **Ivan Timofeev**: [Recommended Russian International Affairs Council representative to Papadopoulos](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/ap-confirms-identity-of-2-papadopoulos-contacts) ### Competing Intelligence Theories - **Russian Asset Theory**: [FBI and Mueller investigation portrayed him as having "substantial connections to Russian government officials"](https://www.realclearinvestigations.com/articles/2018/05/26/the_maltese_phantom_of_russiagate_.html) - **Western Intelligence Theory**: [Trump allies and his lawyer Stephan Roh claim he worked for Western intelligence agencies as part of a "setup" against Trump](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spygate_\(conspiracy_theory\)) - **Academic Cover Theory**: [Some suggest his academic positions provided cover for intelligence activities](https://www.realclearinvestigations.com/articles/2018/05/26/the_maltese_phantom_of_russiagate_.html) ## Key Associates and Network ### Stephan Roh - Attorney and Business Partner Swiss-German lawyer Stephan Roh emerges as Mifsud's key associate: - **Business Relationship**: [Co-owned Link Campus University with Roh](https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2018-10-22/world-news/Joseph-Mifsud-Malta-academic-in-Trump-probe-has-history-of-vanishing-acts-6736198182) - **Legal Representation**: [Served as Mifsud's attorney and spokesperson](https://cde.news/italian-prosecutors-believe-that-the-hypothesis-that-professor-mifsuds-died-is-80-true/) - **Conspiracy Theories**: [Co-authored book claiming Mifsud was Western intelligence operative](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Papadopoulos) - **Russian Connections**: [Married to Russian fashion designer, maintains Russian business ties](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/oct/27/joseph-mifsud-gave-deposition-john-durham-russia-g/) ### Igor Danchenko While no direct operational connection has been established, both Mifsud and Danchenko became central figures in Trump-Russia investigations, with [Danchenko serving as Christopher Steele's primary sub-source](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/george-papadopoulos-danchenko-trial-durham-reveal-onion-corruption-fbi). ### Stephen Halper [FBI informant Stefan Halper operated in similar circles, meeting with Trump campaign officials including Papadopoulos](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stefan_Halper), though no direct collaboration with Mifsud has been documented. ## Current Status and Whereabouts ### Official Missing Status - **September 2018**: [Democratic National Committee court filing declared Mifsud "missing and may be deceased"](https://www.newsweek.com/joseph-mifsud-professor-who-brokered-russia-papadopoulos-meetings-may-be-dead-1112474) - **Italian Court**: [Listed his address as "residence unknown" in 2018 judgment](https://www.courthousenews.com/academic-in-trump-probe-hit-with-56k-fine-but-where-is-he/) - **Passport Discovery**: [His passport and wallet found in Madeira, Portugal in August 2017](https://cde.news/italian-prosecutors-believe-that-the-hypothesis-that-professor-mifsuds-died-is-80-true/) ### Conflicting Reports on Status - **May 2018**: [Lawyer Stephan Roh provided photo claiming to show Mifsud alive in Zurich](https://www.voanews.com/a/malta-academic-in-trump-probe-often-vanishes-after-scandals/4624181.html) - **April 2019**: [Italian newspaper Il Foglio reported he was hiding in Rome apartment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Papadopoulos) - **November 2019**: [Mysterious audio recording emerged claiming to be Mifsud, though experts disputed its authenticity](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/joseph-mifsud-audio-russia-investigation-disappearance) - **2020**: [Italian prosecutors estimated 80% probability that Mifsud is dead](https://cde.news/italian-prosecutors-believe-that-the-hypothesis-that-professor-mifsuds-died-is-80-true/) ### Durham Investigation Special Counsel [[John Durham]]'s investigation: - **2019**: [Durham obtained two of Mifsud's BlackBerry phones from Italy](https://www.emptywheel.net/2022/01/28/john-durham-flew-to-italy-to-get-joseph-mifsuds-blackberries-but-never-walked-across-doj-to-obtain-james-bakers-phones/) - **Audio Deposition**: [Stephan Roh provided Durham with audio recording of Mifsud](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/oct/27/joseph-mifsud-gave-deposition-john-durham-russia-g/) - **No Charges**: [Durham's final report in 2023 did not recommend charges related to Mifsud](https://www.congress.gov/118/meeting/house/116122/documents/HHRG-118-JU00-20230621-QFR010.pdf) ## Board Positions and Organizational Affiliations ### Academic Institutions - **Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI)**: [President (2008-2012)](https://euroblog.jonworth.eu/joseph-mifsud-even-legitimate-professor/) - **University Consortium of the Province of Agrigento, Sicily**: [President (resigned under financial controversy)](https://www.courthousenews.com/academic-in-trump-probe-hit-with-56k-fine-but-where-is-he/) - **London Academy of Diplomacy**: [Director](https://euroblog.jonworth.eu/wp-content/uploads/2005/08/mifsud.html) - **Link Campus University, Rome**: [Director of International Relations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Mifsud) ### Think Tanks and Policy Organizations - **European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR)**: [Member](https://ecfr.eu/article/commentary_the_world_will_not_stop_a_statement_from_leading_europeans7061/) - **Valdai Discussion Club**: [Regular expert participant](https://valdaiclub.com/about/experts/3147/) - **Global Ties U.S.**: [Participated in State Department partner events](https://www.cnn.com/2017/11/08/politics/joseph-mifsud-trump-russia-investigation) ### Government and Diplomatic Roles - **Malta Ministry of Foreign Affairs**: [Chef de cabinet (2006-2008)](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2009_2014/documents/empa/dv/emuni20100223_04_/emuni20100223_04_en.pdf) - **Malta EU Accession**: [Key role in establishing European Programmes Unit](https://euroblog.jonworth.eu/wp-content/uploads/2005/08/mifsud.html) - **Commonwealth Relations**: [Served in Malta's Commonwealth diplomatic initiatives](https://euroblog.jonworth.eu/wp-content/uploads/2005/08/mifsud.html) ## Financial Controversies and Legal Issues ### Pattern of Financial Irregularities Mifsud's career was marked by recurring financial controversies: - **University of Malta**: [Left under threat of termination amid questions about financial management](https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2018/10/23/bizarre-academic-career-joseph-mifsud) - **EMUNI University**: [Departed in 2012 owing €30,000 ($39,900) in allegedly ineligible expenses](https://www.voanews.com/a/malta-academic-in-trump-probe-often-vanishes-after-scandals/4624181.html) - **Sicily Consortium**: [Ordered by Italian court to repay €49,000 ($56,700) in overpayments](https://www.courthousenews.com/academic-in-trump-probe-hit-with-56k-fine-but-where-is-he/) ### Legal Proceedings - **2018**: [No-show at Italian trial, residence listed as "unknown"](https://www.courthousenews.com/academic-in-trump-probe-hit-with-56k-fine-but-where-is-he/) - **2018**: [DNC lawsuit named him as co-defendant in election interference case](https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2018-09-13/local-news/russiagate-Maltese-professor-Joseph-Mifsud-due-in-US-court-today-living-under-an-alias-6736196262) - **Personal**: [Wife Janet Mifsud filed for divorce, citing inability to locate him](https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2018-10-22/world-news/Joseph-Mifsud-Malta-academic-in-Trump-probe-has-history-of-vanishing-acts-6736198182) ## NGO Connections and Democratic Links ### Limited Democratic Party Connections Despite extensive searches, no significant direct connections to Democratic Party politicians or organizations have been documented. His associations were primarily: - **Academic and Diplomatic**: European Union institutions, Mediterranean regional organizations - **Bipartisan Government**: Worked with both Democratic and Republican administrations through academic channels - **International Organizations**: Euro-Mediterranean cooperation initiatives, educational exchanges ### State Department and U.S. Government - **2017 Capitol Hill Event**: [Participated in "Strategic Dialogue" panel associated with Global Ties U.S.](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/oct/20/joseph-mifsud-identity-called-trump-russia-probe-o/) - **Training Contracts**: [LCILP claimed State Department contracts for training Libyan officials](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/oct/20/joseph-mifsud-identity-called-trump-russia-probe-o/) - **FBI Training**: [Link Campus University provided training to FBI agents](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/oct/20/joseph-mifsud-identity-called-trump-russia-probe-o/) ## Assessment and Conclusions ### The Mystery Remains Unsolved Joseph Mifsud represents one of the most enigmatic figures in modern American political investigations. Despite extensive scrutiny by multiple intelligence agencies, congressional committees, and special counsels, fundamental questions about his true allegiances and current fate remain unanswered. ### Competing Narratives 1. **Russian Asset**: FBI/Mueller view of Mifsud as facilitating Russian election interference 2. **Western Intelligence**: Trump allies' theory of entrapment operation 3. **Opportunistic Academic**: Skilled networker exploiting contacts for personal gain ### Impact on U.S. Politics Regardless of his true nature, Mifsud's alleged conversation with Papadopoulos became the foundational predicate for: - The FBI's [[Crossfire Hurricane]] investigation - Special Counsel [[Robert Mueller]]'s appointment - Years of political conflict over Russian election interference - Questions about intelligence community conduct ### Current Status Assessment As of 2025, Joseph Mifsud's fate remains unknown. The most plausible scenarios include: - **Dead**: [Italian prosecutors' 80% probability assessment](https://cde.news/italian-prosecutors-believe-that-the-hypothesis-that-professor-mifsuds-died-is-80-true/) - **In Hiding**: Protected by intelligence services (nationality unknown) - **Living Under Assumed Identity**: [As suggested by his lawyer](https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2018-09-13/local-news/russiagate-Maltese-professor-Joseph-Mifsud-due-in-US-court-today-living-under-an-alias-6736196262) The mystery of Joseph Mifsud continues to symbolize the unresolved questions surrounding the 2016 election, foreign interference, and the complex intersection of academic, intelligence, and political worlds in modern international relations.