USA prosecutors probe suspected Gulf donations to Trump
The Wall Street Journal reports: "Federal prosecutors in Manhattan are investigating whether President Trump's 2017 inaugural committee misspent some of the record $107 million it raised from donations, people familiar with the matter said".
Federal prosecutors are reportedly investigating the finances of U.S. President Donald Trump's inaugural committee and whether foreigners contributed to its events using straw donors. "The other is for donating money in exchange for political favors and the third is misuse of donated funds".
According to the Wall Street Journal, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of NY is basing their investigation on materials seized during April raids on Trump's former longtime lawyer and "fixer" Michael Cohen.
In April raids at Cohen's home, office and hotel room, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents obtained a recorded conversation between Cohen and Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a former adviser to Melania Trump, who worked on the inaugural events. Wolkoff expressed concern in the conversation about how the inaugural committee was spending money, a person familiar with the Cohen investigation told the Journal.
The probe into the inaugural committee comes as the president and his White House are already facing investigations into the Trump campaign's contacts with Russian Federation, hush-money payments to women claiming to have had affairs with Trump and spending by Trump's foundation, among other issues. "We simply have no evidence the investigation exists".
The inquiry into the inaugural fund appears to involve prosecutors from USA attorney's offices in Manhattan and Brooklyn, people familiar with the investigation said.
"The inaugural committee hasn't been asked for records or been contacted by prosecutors".
The Journal said prosecutors are also seeking documents from Franklin Haney, a Tennessee developer who gave $1m to the inaugural committee and later hired Cohen to help him obtain a $5bn USDepartment of Energy loan.
Canadian detained in China as Huawei CFO returns to court
Trump said while "my people" have spoken with China about the case, he has yet to discuss it with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Meng was released on $7.4 million bail on Tuesday, after being detained in Vancouver since December 1.
Paul Manafort, the former Trump campaign chairman found guilty of bank and tax fraud who was later accused of telling "multiple discernible lies" to investigators, was the one who suggested that Barrack start up and raise money for the super PAC, according to Times sources.
Read the full report from The Wall Street Journal.
Special Counsel Robert Mueller has examined whether any foreign money came into the inaugural fund, which is prohibited from accepting foreign contributions.
According to filings with the Federal Election Commission, the committee raised $23 million, making it one of the most important sources of funds for advertisements, polls and other political expenditures on Trump's behalf.
Mr Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison following the raids on his home and business premises.
In August, the United States attorney's office in Washington, on a referral from Mueller, obtained a guilty plea from a DC consultant who admitted he used a USA citizen to serve as a "straw purchaser" so that a "prominent Ukraine oligarch" could attend the inauguration.
The inquiry is not the first time prosecutors have scrutinized Trump's inauguration.
Related:
-
Luxembourg PM tells United Kingdom journalist ‘Brexit is your choice, not mine’
Tony Blair insisted today there must be a second referendum on Brexit because of the "crisis" over Theresa May's deal. Mrs May urged European Union leaders to work with her to " change the perception " of the controversial backstop plan.Dwyane Wade Gifts Josh Hart Game-Worn Shoes With Personal Message
Dwyane Wade (front) and LeBron James arrived in the National Basketball Association as part of a star-studded draft in 2003. Wade said it was because James knew him so well and had his number.Virgin Galactic headed into space for the first time
ET, SpaceShipTwo had its wheels down, back in the Mojave, safely ending a successful test flight. Once the flight reached 30,000 feet, Virgin Galactic pilots performed a series of cabin checks. -
Laurent Koscielny Recovered In Good Time - Unai Emery
As the January transfer window draws nearer, it is inevitable that the Gunners will be linked with a number of different players.Ariana Grande Clowns Kanye & Drake, Calls Them 'Grown Men Arguing Online'
West sent out "positive vibes" and "love" to his followers, adding that he is a man of family and integrity. You know if I had a girlfriend from Chicago , her name was Ranita, and then you was married to Rihanna.RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das to meet heads of PSBs, private banks
Market participants are hopeful that the new governor will be more communicative and sympathetic to their concerns. So, there are several areas which central bank has to be dealing with and so we will focus on those areas. -
Manchester City will not be banned from European competition
The Italy midfielder, 26, instead followed head coach Maurizio Sarri from Naples to Stamford Bridge in July, signing a five-year contract.THE DEBATE - Aye or Nay? Theresa May faces leadership challenge over Brexit
MP Graham Brady says the threshold of 48 letters from lawmakers needed to trigger a leadership vote has been reached. The rebels shot their letters of no-confidence to the party's 1922 committee, which organises leadership contests.Nita Ambani's graceful performance is the highlight of #IshaAmbaniSangeet ceremony
On December 7, 2018, Ambanis and Piramals released a joint statement giving out the details of the pre-wedding festivities. These people shall be served food three times daily till December 10 as part of the other wedding-related ceremonies. -
Johnson & Johnson shares drop after asbestos report
However, the Reuters report indicated that most testing reports did not find the presence of asbestos in J&J products. The company said Friday there were rigorous tests showing the talc did not contain the cancer-causing mineral.Israel forces kill Palestinian murder suspects as baby laid to rest
In the stabbing attack on two Israeli police officers overnight in the Old City of Jerusalem, the attacker was shot and killed. In addition to the suspect in the Ofra attack, two other individuals in the vehicle were also apprehended.Google rules out a Chinese search engine
Pichai stressed that users opt in to certain data-tracking features, giving the example of fitness apps that measure steps. Google CEO Sundar Pichai is going to testify before Congress today-the first time he's ever done such a thing.