Dozens of Russians have invested nearly $100 million in Trump-branded buildings in southern Florida, according to a Reuters review of property investments published this week.
Reuters found that at least 64 individuals with Russian passports or addresses invested at least $98.4 million in Trump luxury towers in Florida, based on available public documents, corporate records and interviews.
Some investors were members of the Russian elite, including businessmen with political connections, according to the report.
{mosads}One investor reportedly posted a photo recently with a Russian motorcycle gang that has been sanctioned by Washington for its involvement in the annexation of Crimea.
Trump downplayed any connection to Russia during the campaign, saying, “I have no loans in Russia. I don’t have any deals in Russia.” But a pair of congressional probes into Russian intervention in the election have scrutinized any potential ties to the country in focus.
Reuters noted that the documents did not reveal any suggestion of wrongdoing on the part of Trump or his real estate organization.
“I can say definitively that this is an overblown story that is media-created,” Alan Garten, the chief legal officer of the Trump Organization, told Reuters.
“I’ve been around this company and know the company’s dealings,” he added.