Trump reportedly did business with a man linked to the Mafia
Though Donald Trump insists he wouldn't recognize Russian-born businessman Felix Sater even if they were sitting in the same room, his close work with Sater building Trump-branded buildings across the U.S. and the former Soviet bloc tells a different story. The Washington Post reports that during the six-year period that Sater, who was then an executive at Bayrock Group, worked with Trump, he often stopped into Trump's office, once flew to Colorado with Trump, and was even asked to escort Trump's children, Donald Jr. and Ivanka, around Moscow.
Although Trump claims he didn't know it at the time he started working with him, Sater is a government informant with a criminal past. In 1998, Sater pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering as part of a $40 million stock fraud that involved members of the La Cosa Nostra crime families. He has been "accused by former business associates of threatening to kill them and praised by top government officials for information that has led to numerous mob convictions and national security gains," The Washington Post reports.
Though it's hard to say whether or not Trump was actually aware of Sater's criminal past — Trump says he knew "none" of it — he did maintain his ties to Sater even after The New York Times linked him to the mob and money laundering in 2007. Trump's lawyers asked Sater to testify in Trump's libel suit in 2008. After Sater left Bayrock around that time, The Associated Press reports that he was given office space and handed out Trump Organization business cards, identifying him as a "senior adviser to Donald Trump."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Read the full story on Trump's ties to Sater over at The Washington Post.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The mental health crisis affecting vets
Under The Radar Death of Hampshire vet highlights mental health issues plaguing the industry
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Onion is having a very ironic laugh with Infowars
The Explainer The satirical newspaper is purchasing the controversial website out of bankruptcy
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'Rahmbo, back from Japan, will be looking for a job? Really?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists approve contract, end strike
Speed Read The company's largest union approved the new contract offer, ending a seven-week strike
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US economy still strong in final preelection report
Speed Read It grew at a solid 2.8% annual rate from July through September
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists reject deal, continue strike
Speed Read The rejection came the same day Boeing reported a $6.2 billion quarterly loss
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ports reopen after dockworkers halt strike
Speed Read The 36 ports that closed this week, from Maine to Texas, will start reopening today
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bid
Speed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney and DeSantis reach detente
Speed Read The Florida governor and Disney settle a yearslong litigation over control of the tourism district
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published