(NewsNation) — President-elect Donald Trump‘s attorneys are investigating allegations that one of his top aides asked potential appointees for payment in exchange for a spot in the incoming administration, multiple outlets have reported.
Adviser Boris Epshteyn, a lawyer and longtime strategist for Trump, sought out retainer fees from people looking to join Trump’s team, three people briefed on the matter told The New York Times.
According to Times reporting, attorney David Warrington conducted an internal review of the claims, finding that Epshteyn proposed payment in return for promoting candidates or offering industry connections.
Epshteyn allegedly asked for payment from at least two people. One of them was Scott Bessent, Trump’s choice to lead the Treasury.
In February, the adviser proposed $30,000 to $40,000 per month to “promote” Bessent at Mar-a-Lago. According to sources, Bessent declined — and later reported concerns to the Trump transition team.
One instance included a request of up to $100,000 per month from a defense contractor, who did not hire Epshteyn.
The Trump transition team confirmed the review occurred but emphasized its plan to move on from the accusations, CNN first reported.
“As is standard practice, a broad review of the campaign’s consulting agreements has been conducted and completed, including as to Boris, among others,” transition spokesman Steven Cheung told CNN. “We are now moving ahead together as a team to help President Trump Make America Great Again.”
“I am honored to work for President Trump and with his team,” Epshteyn said in a statement to the Times. “These fake claims are false and defamatory and will not distract us from Making America Great Again.”
Who is Boris Epshteyn?
Epshteyn is a lawyer who has been coordinating with Trump’s various legal teams and a longtime aide to Trump who was a key surrogate in his 2016 campaign. Epshteyn briefly served as an adviser in Trump’s White House and as an on-screen political analyst for Sinclair Broadcast Group.
After Trump refused to accept his loss in 2020, Epshteyn worked with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani on efforts to overturn the result. He was accused of carrying out a scheme with Giuliani to submit fake electors for Trump in Arizona and obstruct the certification of the results by Congress. He has pleaded not guilty to nine felony charges in Arizona related to the case.
Epshteyn has also appeared at Trump’s side during his court appearances.
He’s remained at the president-elect’s side following his victory, advising on Trump’s choices for Cabinet and administration positions. He reportedly butted heads with billionaire backer Elon Musk over some of the picks.
Epshteyn was also one of the Trump advisers who supported the president-elect choosing former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., to serve as attorney general, despite a House Ethics Committee investigation of alleged sexual misconduct and illicit drug use by the former Florida lawmaker.
Gaetz has since taken his name out of the running.
The Associated Press and NewsNation partner The Hill contributed to this report.
