Alexander Torshin, a Russian businessman with ties to both the Kremlin and, allegedly, organized crime, has drawn the scrutiny of FBI investigators, McClatchy reports. At issue: Whether Torshin helped coordinate funding for the National Rifle Association during the 2016 presidential campaign. If Russian or other foreign money was used to underwrite the NRA’s campaign activities, that would likely be found illegal under federal law.
“The NRA reported spending a record $55 million on the 2016 elections, including $30 million to support Trump – triple what the group devoted to backing Republican Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential race. Most of that was money was spent by an arm of the NRA that is not required to disclose its donors,” McClatchy reports.
Torshin, who holds a top position at Russia’s Central Bank and is a longtime political ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has previously been investigated by Spanish authorities on charges of laundering money to the Russian mob. He also happens to be a lifetime member of the NRA, according to McClatchy, and reportedly chatted with recreational big-game hunter Donald Trump Jr. at the group’s May 2016 gala, shortly after Trump Sr. secured the NRA’s endorsement in the presidential race. Since taking office, Trump has continued to be an outspoken advocate for the NRA’s expansive interpretation of Second Amendment rights.
Neither the FBI nor the NRA commented on McClatchy’s report.