Republican campaigner, 56, is still dating accused Russian spy, 29, and has visited her in jail

Accused Russian spy Maria Butina is still dating her Republican campaigner boyfriend, and he has even been to see her in jail, her lawyer says. 

Attorney Robert Driscoll has told ABC News there is no way his client – who has been charged as part of Mueller’s investigation into Russian influence on the 2016 Presidential election – was using her partner for access, and he has the video to prove it. 

Driscoll has released what appears to be professionally taken footage of Butina, 29, recording a version of the Beauty and the Beast theme song with boyfriend Paul Erickson, 56, in a bid to prove their relationship was legitimate. 

‘I think in some ways it’s a classic love story,’ he said. ‘I think [reporters] are filling in a lot of the gaps with a lot of spy novels.’

Accused Russian spy Maria Butina (right) is still dating her Republican campaigner boyfriend Paul Erickson (left), her attorney says 

Robert Driscoll, who is representing Butina in court, says not only are the couple still together, but Erickson has been to visit her in jail in the past few days

Robert Driscoll, who is representing Butina in court, says not only are the couple still together, but Erickson has been to visit her in jail in the past few days

Driscoll released video of the pair singing the theme to Beauty and the Beast as a way of proving their relationship was real

Driscoll released video of the pair singing the theme to Beauty and the Beast as a way of proving their relationship was real

Admitting he may just be a ‘sucker for romance’, Driscoll says the video of the pair proves their relationship was legitimate, and not a case of sex for access, as the US Government is suggesting. 

Butina and Erickson met when the Republican political operative travelled to Russia on behalf of the NRA to vet the accused Russian operative’s own pro-gun group, The Right to Bear Arms. 

The pair quickly began dating, and Driscoll says they fell in love.   

The US Government disagrees though, claiming in court documents the Russian redhead ‘appears to treat [the relationship] as simply a necessary aspect of her activities’.

It is alleged Butina offered another person sex in exchange for a position within a special interest organization, and was dissatisfied in her relationship. 

The US Government alleges the 29-year-old used her 56-year-old boyfriend for connections to other high-profile individuals and groups

The US Government alleges the 29-year-old used her 56-year-old boyfriend for connections to other high-profile individuals and groups

Paul Erickson reportedly went to visit Butina on Saturday. The pair met five years ago when the 56-year-old travelled to Moscow

Paul Erickson reportedly went to visit Butina on Saturday. The pair met five years ago when the 56-year-old travelled to Moscow

‘Further, in papers seized by the FBI, Butina complained about living with US Person 1 and expressed disdain for continuing to cohabitate with US Person 1,’ the documents read. 

Butina has been charged with conspiracy and acting as an undeclared foreign agent. 

The US Government alleges she had been trying to sway the Republican Party to adopt more Russia-friendly policies through her relationship with the NRA.

It is alleged she did this on behalf of Alexander Torshin – the deputy governor of Russia’s central bank, who is also believed to be her handler.

Butina was indicted last month alongside 11 other alleged Russian intelligence agents who sought to meddle in the 2016 election.

She was allegedly preparing to flee the country at the time, and is now being held without bond as she is considered a flight risk.

It is alleged Butina was working on behalf of the Russian Government and had been doing the bidding of handler Alexander Torshin - the deputy governor of Russia¿s central bank

It is alleged Butina was working on behalf of the Russian Government and had been doing the bidding of handler Alexander Torshin – the deputy governor of Russia’s central bank

Prosecutors successfully argued Butina was a flight risk and should not be released on bond

Prosecutors successfully argued Butina was a flight risk and should not be released on bond

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