FBI Investigating Claims That Russia Fed the NRA Money to Help Trump Campaign

The FBI is investigating claims that Russia illegally donated money to the NRA, potentially $40 million or more, to help fund Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.

The seemingly endless investigation into Trump's campaign and Russia's potential involvement has taken another not so surprising turn. Now the FBI is investigating a claim that Russia was illegally giving money to Trump's campaign through the National Rifle Association, according to McClatchy.

The NRA's support of Trump's campaign during the 2016 election was no secret. The organization spent $30 million to support the vile candidate. The new report cites two sources close to the situation who claim the deputy governor of Russia's central bank and lifetime NRA member Alexander Torshin was illegally funneling money throughout the campaign. According to the sources, Torshin is known to have close relationships with NRA, as well as Russian president Vladimir Putin. Of the $30 million spent backing Trump, most of it was spent by an arm of the NRA that is not required to reveal its donors. Another red flag. 

Both sources cited by McClatchy also claim that despite the reports of $30 million being spent, it was more like $70 million spent. The difference in reports is due to the fact that not all funds, such as online ads, by the non-profit have to be reported due to certain loopholes in the system. 

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This is not the first accusation that has been made against Torshin by a foreign government. In 2016, Spanish officials accused the then–Russian senator of helping mobsters run a money laundering effort through Spanish banks and properties. Reports involving this accusation claim Torshin was considered a "godfather in a major Russian criminal organization called Taganskaya."

Torshin's troubles could only just be beginning. Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the House, and the Senate Intelligence Committee have all inquired about his various activities in the United States. Sen. Diane Feinstein has also sent letters to two of Trump's top campaign aides asking about Torshin. 

While these sources did provide info about the investigation, there is no word of how long the relationship between Torshin and the NRA has been scrutinized. The new claim just adds another wrinkle to Special Counsel Robert Mueller's ongoing investigation into Trump's ties with Russia. On Wednesday, Trump's lawyer Ty Cobb simply told CBS News he is "very eager" to speak with Mueller to "put the matter to rest."

I'm sure he is. As the investigation continuously heightens, it seems like it's only a matter of time before even more severe allegations from this connection make their way to the headlines.

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