Originally Syndicated on May 15, 2023 @ 6:52 am
Anton Postolnikov, an American businessman who partly owns Paxum Bank, has been linked to a federal investigation into Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) for potential money laundering violations. The investigation highlights an $8 million loan scam at the bank.
In a recent development, a federal criminal inquiry into the media establishment of former President Donald Trump, known as Trump Media, has undergone expansion. This expansion encompasses the examination of potential instances of money laundering violations, which are connected to an $8 million loan with affiliations to Russia. The Guardian, in its report on Wednesday, disclosed this progression, indicating a possible augmentation of jeopardy for the ex-president’s media company. This predicament, in turn, could pose an additional risk to the intended fusion of the media enterprise with the special-purpose acquisition company titled Digital World Acquisition Corp (DWAC).
According to undisclosed sources cited by The Guardian, federal prosecutors in New York have expanded their ongoing criminal investigation into Trump Media & Technology Group. This company is the proprietor of the Truth Social platform associated with Donald Trump. This extension of the inquiry took place towards the end of the previous year. The primary focus of this expansion revolves around a sum of $8 million in monetary transactions.
These monetary transactions are said to have occurred in two separate disbursements. The initial payment of $2 million was transferred to the company during the month of December in the year 2021. Notably, during this period, the company was reportedly facing significant challenges and was considered to be on the verge of financial collapse. This was attributed to the delayed completion of its intended merger with DWAC. Subsequently, the remaining $6 million was disbursed two months after the initial transaction.
The funds in question were sourced from Paxum Bank, an institution registered in Dominica. The payments originated from two entities: ES Family Trust and Paxum Bank. Notably, Paxum Bank has affiliations with Anton Postolnikov, who appears to have a connection to Aleksandr Smirnov. The latter is an associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin and was previously involved in Putin’s administration until the year 2017. Presently, Smirnov operates Rosmorport, a maritime company under Russian control.
It was whistleblower Will Wilkerson, a former executive at Trump Media, who brought the payments to the attention of investigators in October 2022. Wilkerson informed The Guardian that these financial transactions initially raised concerns within Trump Media. Company executives debated the option of returning the funds, considering the possibility of forfeiting the money. Eventually, the decision was made to retain the funds, partially due to financial constraints that prevented them from absorbing such a loss.
According to The Guardian, Donald Trump Jr., the son of Donald Trump, was reportedly informed about the initial payment. An email was sent to him to “keep [him] in the loop” regarding this matter. However, it remains uncertain whether Donald Trump Sr.—the chairman of Trump Media—was aware of the payments and their origins. The report suggests that he seemed disinterested in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the company.
Despite these developments, both Trump Media and the Justice Department have yet to provide responses to requests for comment.
A brief overview of Anton Postolnikov
A brief introduction to Anton Postolnikov, a director of DEK-CO (UK) LTD (06865246):
- Anton Postolnikov is an American businessman who is a director of DEK-CO (UK) LTD, a company based in London, England.
- He is also a relative of Aleksandr Smirnov, a Russian ally of President Vladimir Putin.
- Postolnikov was appointed as a director of DEK-CO on February 9, 2017.
- He is a US citizen and resides in the United States.
Here are some additional details about DEK-CO (UK) LTD:
- The company was incorporated on January 31, 2017.
- Its registered address is First Floor, 22 City Road, London, England, EC1Y 2AJ.
- The company’s principal activity is the provision of computer consulting services.
- The company’s shareholders are Anton Postolnikov (50%) and another individual named Galina Voronina (50%).
