Mueller looking into $150K payment Ukrainian magnate made for Trump appearance: report

Special counsel Robert Mueller is reportedly looking into a payment that a Ukrainian steel magnate made to President Trump’s foundation in exchange for a 20-minute video appearance to a conference.

The New York Times reported Monday that Mueller is investigating the $150,000 donation to the Donald J. Trump Foundation that Ukrainian billionaire Victor Pinchuk made in September 2015, while Trump was seeking the GOP nomination for president.

The payment came after Trump spoke through a video link to a conference in Kiev, according to the Times.

{mosads}Mueller subpoenaed the Trump Organization for documents last month as part of his ongoing probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. The subpoena reportedly involved documents related to Russia and other topics.

News that Mueller is looking into Pinchuk’s donation comes a week after it was reported that the special counsel has questioned a trio of Russian oligarchs over whether they illegally sent cash donations to Trump’s campaign or inauguration.

The Pinchuk’s donation was allegedly solicited by Trump’s personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, whose offices were raided by the FBI on Monday.

In Monday’s raid, federal agents reportedly seized communications between Cohen and Trump, tax documents and records related to Cohen’s $130,000 payment to adult-film star Stormy Daniels in exchange for her silence about an affair she claims she had with Trump in 2006.

The search warrants were obtained by federal prosecutors in Manhattan after they received a referral “in part” from Mueller. 

Trump responded to reports of the raid by railing against the special counsel’s investigation. He called it a “witch hunt,” claimed Mueller’s team was biased and said multiple people suggested he move to have the Justice Department fire the special counsel.

Mueller’s probe thus far has led to indictments or guilty pleas from three former Trump associates and charges against 13 Russians for allegedly attempting to interfere in the election.