Alex Spiro: Part III

Does Alex Spiro pose a security risk to Elon Musk and DOGE?

Mar 02, 2025

Let’s begin with a factual statement: It's confirmed Alex Spiro was on BHR Partners' board, replacing Hunter Biden, with a clear timeline of his involvement. This is an undisputed fact.

This is a continuation of our first two articles on Alexander Benjamin Spiro. Read Part 1 here, and Part 2 here.

Spiro's board role at BHR, alongside his D.O.G.E connection, might pose national security risks due to potential Chinese influence. As Musk's personal lawyer, Spiro likely handles legal matters, possibly including D.O.G.E-related issues, but it's unclear if he accesses classified info. (BHR Partners has ties to the Chinese government via the Bank of China and deals with military-linked firms, like AVIC Automotive).

Key Points

It seems likely that Alex Spiro's connections raise national security concerns, but there is no definitive evidence he is a threat.
Spiro served on the board of BHR Partners, replacing Hunter Biden, with the firm having ties to the Chinese government and military.
His close relationship with Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), could potentially amplify risks due to access to sensitive information.
The evidence leans toward potential conflicts, but his legal role and lack of direct evidence suggest complexity.

Alex Spiro's Role and Connections

Alex Spiro, a prominent attorney known for representing high-profile clients, including Elon Musk and NYC Mayor Eric Adams, served as a director on the board of BHR Partners, a Chinese investment firm, from February 2020 to September 2020, replacing Hunter Biden. BHR Partners has ties to the Bank of China and has engaged in transactions with Chinese military-linked companies, such as acquiring a US automotive firm with AVIC Automotive, a subsidiary of a state-owned military entity (Washington Examiner).

Elon Musk leads DOGE, an advisory body focused on cutting federal spending, which has access to sensitive government data. Spiro's role as Musk's personal lawyer, handling legal matters like the X acquisition, raises questions about potential access to DOGE-related information.

Current Events and Representation

Spiro is currently representing NYC Mayor Eric Adams in a criminal case involving corruption and bribery charges, as reported by NBC New York. This high-profile case adds to the scrutiny of Spiro's professional engagements.

Mayor Eric Adams, right, is pictured outside Manhattan Federal Court with his lawyer, Alex Spiro, after pleading not guilty on multiple corruption charges Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Manhattan, New York. (Barry Williams for New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

Assessment of National Security Threat

Research suggests that Spiro's past association with BHR and his proximity to Musk could pose theoretical risks, such as information sharing or influence by Chinese interests. However, let us state for the record, that there is no concrete evidence of wrongdoing, and his legal role is typically confined to non-classified matters. His background, including a CIA fellowship, and resignation from BHR in September 2020 mitigate some concerns.

Detailed Analysis of Alex Spiro's Potential National Security Implications

This note provides a comprehensive examination of Alex Spiro's connections, focusing on his role with BHR Partners and his relationship with Elon Musk, in the context of current events and national security concerns as of March 1, 2025.

Alex Spiro's Professional Background

Alex Spiro, born in 1982 or 1983, is a partner at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, based in New York, where he co-chairs the Investigations, Government Enforcement & White Collar Defense Practice. His educational background includes a biopsychology degree from Tufts University, summa cum laude, and a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 2008, during which he completed a fellowship at the Central Intelligence Agency (Wikipedia: Alex Spiro). Early in his career, he worked as a Manhattan prosecutor, notably helping convict serial killers like Rodney Alcala, and later transitioned to criminal defense, representing clients like Elon Musk, Jay-Z, and Alec Baldwin (The New Yorker)

Currently, Spiro is representing NYC Mayor Eric Adams in corruption and bribery charges, as reported by Newsweek, adding to his high-profile caseload. His legal expertise spans white-collar crime, securities, and defamation, with over 50 cases tried to verdict, showcasing his prominence in the legal field.

Involvement with BHR Partners

Spiro's connection to BHR Partners, formally Bohai Harvest RST (Shanghai) Equity Investment Fund Management Co., Ltd., became significant when he replaced Hunter Biden on the board in February 2020, according to GEORGE NEWS: Alexander Benjamin Spiro: Part II. Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, had been a founding board member since 2013, holding a 10% stake, and resigned amid scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest, as outlined in Wikipedia: Hunter Biden.

BHR Partners, established in 2013, is a Chinese private equity firm with ties to the Bank of China and focuses on cross-border mergers and acquisitions, as described in BHR Partners - Wikipedia. Its activities have raised national security concerns, particularly due to transactions like the 2015 acquisition of Henniges Automotive, a Michigan-based company, in partnership with AVIC Automotive, a subsidiary of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), a state-owned military entity. The Washington Examiner reported that AVIC supports the People's Liberation Army and has been involved in building jets for China's air force, with multiple subsidiaries sanctioned by the US prior to the deal.

This involvement suggests BHR's potential role in facilitating Chinese influence over US assets, particularly in strategic sectors like automotive, which could have implications for technology and defense. Spiro's position on the board, therefore, places him in a company with documented ties to entities considered national security threats by the US.

Relationship with Elon Musk and DOGE

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, was appointed to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) by President Donald Trump, as announced in November 2024 and detailed in NPR. DOGE, an advisory body focused on cutting federal spending, has access to sensitive government data and operations, as noted in ABC News. By March 1, 2025, DOGE has faced legal challenges, including lawsuits over transparency, as reported by The Washington Post, highlighting its significant role in government restructuring.

Spiro's relationship with Musk is professional, primarily as his personal lawyer, with notable cases including a defamation suit in 2019, as mentioned in Vanity Fair. He has also been involved in Musk's X overhaul, leading layoffs in 2022, as per The Washington Post. This close association raises questions about whether Spiro could access sensitive DOGE-related information, given Musk's leadership role.

Assessing National Security Risks

The central question is whether Spiro's dual roles constitute a national security threat. The potential risks include:

Information Sharing: If Spiro, through his legal work with Musk, gains access to DOGE's plans or data, and given his BHR board position, there is a theoretical risk of information leakage to Chinese entities. However, there is no evidence suggesting he has accessed or shared classified information, and his legal role is typically confined to non-classified matters.

Influence and Coercion: Spiro's fiduciary duties to BHR, which includes Chinese state-backed shareholders, could make him susceptible to influence or coercion. This could theoretically extend to influencing Musk or DOGE decisions, but again, no direct evidence supports this.

Precedent from BHR's Activities: BHR's past dealings, such as the Henniges acquisition, align with US concerns about Chinese military-linked companies gaining footholds in strategic sectors. Spiro's involvement, even post-Hunter Biden, keeps him linked to these activities, as noted in The New York Times, which discussed BHR's role in facilitating Chinese investments in critical minerals like cobalt.

On the other hand, Spiro's background, including his CIA fellowship and prosecutorial work, suggests a commitment to US interests. His legal practice, as described in Lawline, focuses on defending clients within the law, and there are no reports of unethical behavior. Many US professionals have global business ties, and not all are deemed threats, as seen in City & State New York, which notes his extensive client list without security flags.

Comparative Analysis: Potential Risks vs. Evidence

To organize the discussion, consider the following table comparing potential risks and mitigating factors:

This table highlights the complexity: while there are theoretical risks, the lack of direct evidence suggests Spiro's actions are within legal bounds, but his positions warrant scrutiny.

Current Events: Representation of NYC Mayor Adams

Spiro's representation of NYC Mayor Eric Adams, facing federal corruption charges, is a current event as of March 1, 2025, adding to the scrutiny of his professional engagements. Adams was indicted on charges related to bribery, fraud, and conspiracy, and Spiro has been actively defending him, as reported by Bloomberg Law. This role, while not directly related to national security, underscores Spiro's involvement in high-stakes legal battles, potentially increasing his visibility and influence.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 27: New York City Mayor Eric Adams and his lawyer Alex Spiro hold a press conference at the federal court after his arraignment on bribery and fraud charges on September 27, 2024 in New York City. Adams has been charged with five offenses: conspiracy to commit wire fraud, federal program bribery, solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national, wire fraud, and bribery. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images)

Conclusion and Recommendations

As of March 1, 2025, it seems likely that Alex Spiro's connections raise national security concerns, particularly given BHR's history and his proximity to Musk's DOGE role. However, the evidence leans toward potential conflicts rather than definitive threats, with no concrete proof of wrongdoing. This situation underscores the need for transparency and oversight in global business ties, especially for individuals with access to sensitive US government functions. Future investigations or regulatory reviews, such as those by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), could provide clarity on BHR's ongoing activities and Spiro's role.

This analysis aims to inform readers, acknowledging the complexity and encouraging a balanced view on a topic with significant implications for US-China relations and national security.