The FBI is investigating whether a Russian banker with Kremlin ties funneled money through the National Rifle Association to help then-candidate Donald Trump, McClatchy reports.
The subject of the probe is Alexander Torshin, deputy governor of Russia's central bank, who has a close relationship with Russian president Vladimir Putin and the NRA, McClatchy reports.
The report comes amid the news that special counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian interference expanded to include Steve Bannon, who on Wednesday made a deal with the investigation for a voluntary interview after having been served with a subpoena last week.
There is no reporting about how much Torshin allegedly sent to the NRA. The NRA spent $30 million in support of Trump's candidacy, triple what it spent in 2012 to support GOP candidate Mitt Romney, McClatchy reports.
Torshin is a lifetime member of the NRA, and he spoke with Donald Trump Jr. during the 2016 annual convention in Kentucky.
"It was all gun-related small talk," Alan Futerfas, a lawyer for Trump Jr., told McClatchy.
Torshin also reportedly tried to meet Donald Trump at the convention, and unsuccessfully tried to broker a meeting between Trump and Putin.
Torshin is also in the crosshairs of the three congressional probes that are actively investigating possible collusion with Russia.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.