Three prominent podcasters stressed that they had no knowledge that a U.S. network that hosts their content allegedly received nearly $10 million from Russian state media employees to influence the 2024 presidential election.

Tim Pool, Benny Johnson and Dave Rubin all denied any wrongdoing and described themselves as “victims” of the alleged Moscow-backed plot.

According to a Justice Department indictment, an unidentified Tennessee-based company received nearly $10 million from two employees of RT, a Russian state-owned media network.

CNN said it had “independently confirmed” that the company was Tenet Media, a content creation platform that hosts shows for Pool, Johnson and Rubin.

The indictment says the system was created to “recruit unwitting American influencers” who would spread pro-Kremlin narratives in the run-up to the presidential election in November.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Pool wrote: “If these allegations prove to be true, I and the other personalities and commenters have been deceived and are victims. I cannot speak for others at the company regarding what they do or what instructions they receive.”

He added: “However, we still don’t know what is true because these are just allegations. Putin is a scumbag, Russia sucks.”

Johnson wrote: “One year ago, a media startup offered to provide content to my company as an independent contractor. Our lawyers negotiated a standard remote contract that was later terminated. We are disturbed by the allegations in today’s indictment, which make clear that I and other influencers were victims of this alleged scheme. My lawyers will deal with anyone who claims or suggests otherwise.”

Rubin commented: “These allegations clearly demonstrate that I and other commenters were victims of this scheme. I knew absolutely nothing about this fraudulent activity. Period.”

Newsweek Tenet Media has asked for comment outside of regular business hours.

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