President Donald Trump, his business, and his associates have "repeatedly" asked for help from "wealthy Russians and oligarchs," including some thought to be involved with organized crime, according to a new report by Usa Today that included an interview with Ken McCallion, a former federal prosecutor, and analysis of legal cases and documents. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is currently conducting an investigation into the nature of ties between the Trump presidential campaign and the Russian government. Some of those thought to be connected to Trump earned millions and billions of dollars, selling former Soviet assets to private investors.
Included among the Russians thought be tied to Trump include an investor in the president's Trump SoHo Hotel who was alleged to have run a $55 million money-laundering operation and three owners of Trump condos who have been said to be part of a "Russian-American organized crime group." Questions have been raised with regard to President Trump's policy decisions possibly being influenced by Russian operatives.
Findings appear to contradict statements from president
In February, Donald Trump stated, "I have no dealings with Russia," which USA Today contrasted with statements he made at a gathering of investors in Moscow, telling them, "I have a great relationship with many Russians, and almost all of the oligarchs were in the room." Donald Trump Jr.
once told the Russian press that Russian assets made up a "disproportionate" amount of the Trump family holdings.
Steve Hall, the former head of Central Intelligence Agency Russian operations, stated that all the people involved in Russian organized crime, who he has knowledge about, have "deep connections and are tied in with people in government." He described many heads of Russian government being appointed by Vladimir Putin, because the Russian president "saw some reason to give that person that job." While connecting the president and his company to the 10 Russian individuals, USA Today notes that Trump "has not been accused of any wrongdoing."
Trump organization denies reports
Amanda Miller, speaking for Donald Trump's company, denied the company ever entered even a "single transaction" with any of the Russians named, and that each condominium that was sold was brokered by a third party.
USA Today described Trump's business empire as "hard to trace," and the task being made more difficult by the fact that, unlike other presidents of the last 40 years, President Trump has refused to release his tax returns.
The Russian Trump SoHo investor accused of Money Laundering is Alexander Mashkevich. He is said to have provided funding to Bayrock Group, who developed the hotel.
After being accused of money laundering by Belgian officials, Mashkevich was reported to have been required to pay a fine, but not to have admitted to any "wrongdoing." Several people who bought condominiums from the Trump organization have been "accused of laundering money for Russian, Ukrainian or central Asian criminal organizations," including Anatoly Golubchik, Michael Sall, and Vadim Trincher, who are said to be members of an organized crime syndicate responsible for money laundering and gambling operations.