Russian banker Kushner met with considered ‘Putin crony’ by US intel: report

The Russian banker Jared Kushner met with in December has been described by U.S. intelligence officials as a “Putin crony,” according to a report for NBC News.

NBC News reports Sergey Gorkov graduated from FSB Academy, which officials describe as a “finishing school” for spies, in 1994.

{mosads}Officials say Gorkov often performed sensitive financial operations for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

NBC News and the Washington Post reported this week that the president’s son in law is under scrutiny in the federal investigation into potential ties between the Trump campaign and Russian election meddling. This does not mean that Kushner is suspected of a crime.

Investigators are looking into Kushner’s meeting with Gorkov last December as well as a meeting with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. 

Putin appointed Gorkov to run VneshEconomBank (VEB), which is a state-run bank that has worked against the effects of U.S. sanctions by finding other sources of foreign capitol.

The White House and VEB confirmed told NBC News that Kushner and Gorkov met at a roadshow in December, but did not provide details on the location or the specific date. 

The news comes a day after The Washington Post reported that Kushner may have discussed creating a secret communications channel with the Trump transition team and the Kremlin.