Washington: Boris Epstein, a legal adviser to US President-elect Donald Trump, has been suspended from the meetings of the transition team after being accused of trying to profit from his influence over Trump’s future choice of candidates for government posts, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Following the accusation against Epstein, he has been subjected to an investigation by Trump’s transition team, who will determine whether he recommended certain individuals for state offices in exchange for money, the people said, adding that the investigation’s outcome may force the president-elect to choose between his long-time supporters and new members of his team.
An ally to Epstein told the newspaper that there is a conflict between Trump’s loyalists and those who got close to him through their wealth.
Epstein himself has denied the allegations.
“These fake claims are false and defamatory and will not distract us from making America great again,” the newspaper quoted him as saying.
Earlier in the week, CBS News reported that Trump’s team was trying to overcome internal squabbles over the alleged behavior of Epstein, whom at least one Republican politician has accused of trying to profit personally from his ability to influence Trump’s cabinet selection.
Earlier, the Axios portal reported, citing sources, that US entrepreneur Elon Musk and Epstein had caused a scandal over appointments to government posts under the future head of the White House.
Donald Trump, who was already in office after the 2016 election, won the November 5 presidential election, making him the first US leader since the 19th century to return to the White House after a four-year hiatus.
UNI
