Trump Media Group Investigated by Feds for Money Laundering (Report)

thewrap.com:

The Guardian that towards the end of last year, federal prosecutors began examining two loans that were wired to Trump Media and Technology Group through the Caribbean from two entities that appeared to be controlled in part by an individual that appears to be a relative of an ally to Russian president Vladimir Putin.TMTG, which owns Trump’s Truth Social platform, initially came under criminal investigation related to its potential merger with blank check company Digital World Acquisition Corporation.

The merger, which has been delayed, has also faced separate scrutiny from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.According to a wire transfer receipt reviewed by the Guardian, the first $2 million payment was sent to TMTG in December 2021 from Paxum Bank registered in Dominica.

The loan was reportedly sourced by DWAC CEO Patrick Orlando. While Paxum Bank was identified as the beneficial owner, a promissory noted ES Family Trust as the lender.

About two months after the first payment, ES Family Trust reportedly sent a second $6 million payment to TMTG. Angel Pacheco, the trustee of ES Family Trust, appears to have simultaneously been a director of Paxum Bank, the Guardian reported.The Russian connection reportedly being investigated is an individual named Anton Postolnikov, a part-owner of Paxum Bank who appears to be a relative of Putin ally Aleksandr Smirnov, the head of Russian-controlled maritime company Rosmoport.