Is he being paid by Iran?
Payment is irrelevant. You revealed yourself as either ignorant or playing for the other team:
Logan Act of 1799 “Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.”
While disappointing, this is exactly the type of crap that makes Washington a swamp. The problem is, everybody peddles influence and only a few are made examples of. It is a lesson in our human nature. We can do countless wonderful things but slip once and your reputation is ruined.
It does demonstrate that the republic is lost and only via armed revolution or the passage of a long, long time will there be any chance to get some of it back. Like with the Hitler Youth, the state has indoctrinated a generation. They will either need to be annihilated by some force or sink to depths so low there is a great awakening of their folly. Unfortunately, at 56, I will probably see one or the other.