Donald Trump's attorneys have opened an investigation into longtime Trump aide and GOP legal strategist Boris Epshteyn over allegations he personally profited by selling access to Trump's inner circle, CNN reported on Monday.
The investigation "has probed multiple instances of Epshteyn allegedly requesting payment in exchange for promoting candidates for administration positions or offering to connect individuals with people in the upcoming administration relevant to their industries," according to half a dozen sources speaking to CNN.
The investigation is internal to the Trump team and not a criminal matter.
According to the report, in one instance Epshteyn — who previously worked as a right-wing commentator with segments distributed to local news affiliates by the Sinclair Broadcast Group — allegedly demanded $100,000 a month in order to "represent" requests for a job or connections in the Trump administration.
It was reportedly Epshteyn's suggestion to Trump to select former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) as attorney general, according to earlier reports. That nomination fell through last week amid a House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations Gaetz engaged in child sex trafficking, which the former congressman maintains are false.
Other reporting detailed how Epshteyn has butted heads so aggressively with others in the Trump transition team over strategy that it prompted at least one physical altercation.
The investigation has recommended to the Trump team that they cut ties with Epshteyn and not employ him for anything, although for the time being, the report noted, this doesn't seem to have been acted upon.
Epshteyn denies all the allegations, telling CNN, “I am honored to work for President Trump and with his team. These fake claims are false and defamatory and will not distract us from Making America Great Again.”
But it is far from the only problem Epshteyn is facing. He is also under indictment in connection with the fake electors scheme in Arizona, for which he has pleaded not guilty.