Who is Muna Habib? Muna Habib is a British citizen and former television reporter who rose to prominence as a result of her relationship with Richard G. Olson Jr., a retired US diplomat. Their relationship has made headlines, shedding light on Olson’s objectionable conduct during his diplomatic career.
Who is Muna Habib?
Olson, who retired from the State Department in 2016, had a distinguished 34-year career. He was the US ambassador to Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates before moving on to Iraq and Afghanistan. However, recently released court records have shed light on a different aspect of Olson’s life.
While Olson was in charge of the US Consulate in Dubai, a part of the investigation focused on his failure to disclose a $60,000 gift of diamond jewelry that the emir of Dubai gave to his mother-in-law.
The FBI also looked into his role in arranging for Muna Habib to receive $25,000 in tuition payments from Pakistani-American businessman Imaad Zuberi so that she could enroll in Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.
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Olson’s complex intimate life was also scrutinized. Despite being married to another US diplomat who was serving as the ambassador to Libya at the time, he dated multiple women while posted in Pakistan from 2012 to 2015.
He did not notify US diplomatic security officials about these liaisons, as required by State Department counterintelligence rules.
The former ambassador pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors, accepting to not reveal an $18,000 first-class ticket he got for a job interview and illegally lobbying on Qatar’s behalf after retiring.
While he was not charged in relation to the diamond gift or Habib’s tuition, the Justice Department contended that these incidents demonstrated a pattern of unethical conduct.
Olson’s punishment is set for Tuesday (September 12, 2023), and under federal sentencing guidelines, he could face up to six months in prison. His lawyers maintain that because of his long and honorable career, he should not be imprisoned.
The US Justice Department has increased enforcement of foreign-influence laws in recent years, including actions against retired military personnel who work as advisors for foreign powers.
Olson’s scandal began during his time as US ambassador to Pakistan when he became involved with journalist Muna Habib. After two years of dating, their relationship ended in late 2014 when Habib discovered Olson’s infidelity. They later rejoined, and Olson monetary assisted Habib in attending journalism school.
According to emails submitted to the court, the two remained close after their breakup. Habib, who is now married to Olson, dismissed speculation about their relationship as “salacious gossip.”
Olson informed the CIA’s station chief about his relationship with Habib but did not inform US diplomatic security officials, as is necessary for diplomats with high-level security clearances.
The investigation also looked into the diamond gift from Dubai’s emir, which Olson claimed was for his mother-in-law.
While Olson’s then-wife, Deborah Jones, was also investigated, the State Department cleared both she and Olson of wrongdoing.
Despite the uproar, Jones justified the diamond gift, claiming that her mother saw it as a personal gift from the emir.
The State Department closed the investigation, but Jones and Olson were both asked to hand over the diamonds voluntarily.
As the legal proceedings progress, Olson’s once-distinguished diplomatic career has been marred by a tangle of personal and professional squabbles that have left an indelible mark on his legacy.
Muna Habib’s relationship with Richard G. Olson Jr. is a significant episode in Olson’s career and the complexities of relationships within the diplomatic community, raising questions about norms and reporting obligations in the field of international diplomacy.
