Joseph Mifsud

Key Points

• Russiagate Central Figure: Mifsud allegedly sparked the FBI’s Trump-Russia probe by telling Trump campaign aide George Papadopoulos in 2016 that Russia had “dirt” on Hillary Clinton, triggering the Crossfire Hurricane investigation.

• Questionable Academic Credentials: Despite claiming prestigious academic titles, Mifsud’s professorial status is dubious, with Maltese media labeling him a braggart who inflates his credentials.

• Financial Misconduct: Ordered by an Italian court to repay €49,000 for overpayments and extravagant spending during his tenure at the University Consortium of Agrigento.

• Suspicious Connections: Linked to Russian, Saudi, and Western intelligence figures, as well as institutions like Link Campus University, suspected of ties to Italian intelligence.

• Disappearance and Censorship: Vanished in October 2017 after Russiagate broke, with allegations of intelligence-backed efforts to hide him, suggesting a deliberate attempt to suppress information.

Overview

Joseph Mifsud, born in 1960, is a Maltese academic with dual UK-Malta citizenship, presenting himself as a seasoned diplomat and educator. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Malta (1982), a master’s from the University of Padua (1989), and a PhD from Queen’s University Belfast (1995). His career includes roles at the University of Malta, the London Centre of International Law Practice (LCILP), and Link Campus University in Rome, where he served as director of international relations. He was president of the Euro-Mediterranean University of Slovenia (2008) and the University Consortium of Agrigento (2009–2012). Mifsud also held positions at the London Academy of Diplomacy and worked briefly at Malta’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2006–2008). His public persona as a well-connected academic contrasts sharply with his controversial actions, particularly his role in the 2016 U.S. election interference probe.

Allegations and Concerns

Mifsud’s rap sheet reads like a spy novel with too many plot twists:

• Russiagate Involvement: Accused of acting as a conduit between the Trump campaign and Russian operatives, Mifsud told Papadopoulos in April 2016 that Russia had “thousands of emails” damaging to Clinton. This conversation, relayed to Australian diplomat Alexander Downer, sparked the FBI’s investigation. Former FBI Director James Comey called him a Russian agent, while Trump allies like Devin Nunes claim he’s a Western intelligence operative.

• Misleading Credentials: Maltese media and former colleagues describe Mifsud as a zatat (braggart), exaggerating his academic titles. He was never a full professor, only a senior lecturer at best, casting doubt on his credibility.

• Intelligence Connections: Linked to Russian officials, including a former Internet Research Agency employee, and Western figures like Boris Johnson and Saudi intelligence chief Turki al Faisal. His work at LCILP, described as a front for intelligence activities, raises suspicions of espionage.

• Disappearance: Vanished in October 2017 after Russiagate broke, with his passport and wallet conveniently found in Madeira, Portugal, suggesting a staged exit. Reports indicate he hid in a Rome apartment owned by a Link Campus-affiliated company.

• Censorship Efforts: Allegations from his lawyer, Stephan Roh, suggest Italian intelligence orchestrated Mifsud’s disappearance to protect him, implying a coordinated effort to suppress his role in Russiagate. A 2019 audio deposition to John Durham claims he was framed, further indicating attempts to control the narrative.

Customer Feedback

As an academic and consultant, Mifsud doesn’t have traditional “customers,” but feedback from colleagues and associates paints a mixed picture:

• Positive: A former LCILP employee described Mifsud as well-connected, noting his ability to network with ambassadors and dignitaries, which lent him an air of legitimacy. Prasenjit Kumar Singh, a businessman, called him “extremely influential” and a “good speaker” after a 2017 dinner with Boris Johnson.

• Negative: Colleagues at LCILP expressed confusion about the organization’s secretive operations, with one saying, “I hardly knew what kind of business they do.” His former assistant at the London Academy of Diplomacy noted his tendency to exaggerate, claiming a “short private meeting” with Putin. Maltese media mock his inflated self-image, and George Papadopoulos later claimed Mifsud’s Russian connections were overstated.

Risk Considerations

• Financial Risks: Mifsud’s history of financial mismanagement, including lavish spending at Agrigento, suggests poor fiscal responsibility. His €49,000 debt to the consortium remains unpaid, and LCILP ended 2016 with £329,000 in debts, indicating instability in his ventures.

• Reputational Risks: Association with Mifsud carries a toxic stigma due to his Russiagate role and alleged intelligence ties. His disappearance and questionable credentials further erode trust, making partnerships a public relations nightmare.

• Legal Risks: The Italian court’s ruling against him for financial misconduct, combined with his status as a person of interest in the U.S. and potential lawsuits (e.g., by the Democratic National Committee), heightens legal exposure. His “missing” status complicates accountability.

• Geopolitical Risks: Mifsud’s ties to Russian, Western, and Saudi entities place him at the center of a geopolitical minefield, risking entanglement in international investigations or sanctions.

Business Relations and Associations

Mifsud’s network is a who’s-who of questionable characters and institutions:

• Link Campus University: A Rome-based institution with ties to Italian intelligence, where Mifsud served as director of international relations. Its president, Vincenzo Scotti, distanced himself from Mifsud, but allegations suggest the university facilitated his disappearance.

• Stephan Roh: A German lawyer with Russian business ties, Roh owns a 5% stake in Link Campus and has represented Mifsud, claiming he was a Western intelligence operative. Roh’s 2018 book, The Faking of Russia-Gate, defends Mifsud’s narrative.

• George Papadopoulos: Trump campaign aide who met Mifsud in 2016 at LCILP, leading to the Russiagate probe. Papadopoulos later accused Mifsud of being a Western plant.

• LCILP: The London Centre of International Law Practice, where Mifsud and Papadopoulos worked, was described as a front for intelligence activities, with minimal staff and significant debts.

• High-Profile Contacts: Photographed with Boris Johnson, linked to Saudi intelligence, and connected to Russian think tanks and diplomats, Mifsud’s associations span conflicting interests, amplifying suspicion.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• Italian Court Ruling (2018): Ordered to repay €49,000 ($56,700) to the University Consortium of Agrigento for overpayments and extravagant expenses, including €100,000+ on luxury dinners and €4,000 monthly phone bills. His “residence unknown” status hindered enforcement.

• DNC Lawsuit (2018): Named in a Democratic National Committee lawsuit over Russian email hacks, with claims he may be “missing or deceased.”

• No Bankruptcy Records: No public records confirm personal bankruptcy, but LCILP’s £329,000 debt in 2016 suggests financial instability in his ventures.

• Ongoing Investigations: U.S. Attorney John Durham obtained a 2018 audio deposition from Mifsud, indicating continued scrutiny. Italian intelligence denied involvement, but Barr’s 2019 Rome visit suggests unresolved questions.

Risk Assessment Table

Expert Opinion

Joseph Mifsud is a walking red flag, cloaked in academic credentials that don’t hold up under scrutiny. His strengths—networking with high-profile figures and projecting an air of diplomatic sophistication—are overshadowed by his weaknesses: a penchant for exaggeration, financial recklessness, and a starring role in one of the biggest political scandals of our time. The pros of engaging with Mifsud are negligible; his connections might open doors, but they’re likely to lead to dead ends or worse. The cons are glaring: any association risks reputational ruin, legal entanglement, and financial loss. His disappearance and alleged censorship efforts—potentially backed by intelligence networks—suggest a man desperate to bury his past. Investors should run, not walk, away from any venture tied to him. Authorities, particularly in the U.S., Italy, and Malta, must prioritize locating him and investigating his role in Russiagate and beyond. His 2018 deposition to Durham is a start, but without transparency, the truth remains elusive. Caution is not just advised—it’s mandatory.

Key Citations

• The Washington Post, “Joseph Mifsud, the Maltese professor who figured in the inception of the Russia probe,” 2019.

• NBC News, “Joseph Mifsud, Missing Academic in Trump Russia Probe, Hit With $56K Fine,” 2018.

• Wikipedia, “Joseph Mifsud,” 2017.

• Fox News, “Has Joseph Mifsud resurfaced? Alleged audio of mysterious professor emerges,” 2019.

• X posts by @ChuckRossDC, @CJBdingo25, and @RedSector1144, 2019–2025.