Wyden urges Senate intelligence panel to ‘follow the money’
In light of what he called extensive public reports about financial connections between Donald Trump, Trump associates and Russia, including indictments of top Trump campaign officials for financial crimes, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., asked Senate Intelligence Committee leaders Wednesday to hold public hearings on follow-the-money issues.
“Following the money is a critical component of any counterintelligence investigation, particularly when there are this many indicators of extensive, long-standing and illicit financial relationships,” Wyden wrote to Chairman Richard Burr, R-N.C., and Vice Chair Mark Warner, D-Va.
“I do not believe, however, that the Committee has adequately investigated these matters or that the Trump Administration, and in particular the Secretary of the Treasury, has cooperated with congressional oversight. Indeed, the Secretary has refused to release assessments of senior Russian officials and Russian oligarchs, despite a statutory requirement to do so,” Wyden said.
As ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee and a senior Intelligence Committee member, Wyden has pressed both committees to investigate follow-the-money issues. He has also begun requesting documents and information related to financial issues deserving of additional investigation.
– Wyden has twice placed holds on Treasury Department nominees to compel production of documents from Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). His hold on Isabel Patelunas remains in effect.
– On February 2, Wyden requested financial information from the Treasury Department and National Rifle Association related to Alexander Torshin and other Russian officials.
– On February 9, Wyden requested financial records related to Dmitry Rybolovlev and his $95 million purchase of Trump’s Palm Beach Estate.
