Trump ordered advisers to conduct an internal investigation into alleged improprieties by legal adviser Boris Epszteyn: Sources

President-elect Donald Trump has directed his top advisers to conduct an internal investigation into alleged claims of misconduct by his top legal adviser, Boris Epszteyn, multiple sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.

Allegations from the president-elect’s top allies and people close to him transition syndrome alleged that Epszteyn used his closeness to Trump to seek financial compensation, claiming he could potentially secure positions for certain people in the administration.

Sources say an internal investigation by Trump’s lawyers initially revealed a disturbing pattern of behavior by Epshteyn.

The review allegedly showed that Epshteyn would offer access to Trump in exchange for monthly consulting fees. A review by Trump’s lawyers concluded that Epshteyn’s alleged conduct should have resulted in the termination of his employment and loss of closeness to Trump.

It is unclear whether the report was ever provided to Trump, and as of Monday evening, it appeared that Epshteyn was still employed by Trump.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to work for President Trump and his team,” Epshteyn told ABC News. “These false claims are false and defamatory and will not distract us from Making America Great Again.”

He was the first to report on the internal investigation CNN.

In an affidavit submitted to the Trump transition team and obtained by ABC News, former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens stated that he contacted Epshteyn after the election to mention his interest in working in the Trump administration and — despite no explicit offer — Greitens said “Epshteyn’s comments and behavior suggest that he might consider offering an administrative position in exchange for financial compensation, but such an offer will be considered in a later discussion.”

Sources familiar with the review by Trump’s lawyers showed that the day after Trump’s first meeting with Treasury Secretary nominee Scott Bessent in February, Epshteyn invited him to lunch and asked Bessent for a monthly stipend of at least $30,000 to promote Bessent around Trump’s March. -a-Club Lago.

Epshteyn also tried to get Bessent to invest $10 million in a 3-on-3 basketball league, but Bessent refused.

Sources say that Bessent, who had not paid Epsztejn, concluded that if he had followed his instructions, he would have been treated more favorably by Ephsteyn.

Bessent could not be reached for comment.

In an interview with the conservative publication Just the News, Trump responded to the allegations, saying he was unaware that anyone working for him was charging consulting fees.

“I suppose every president has people around him who are trying to make money off him from the outside. It’s a shame, but it happens,” Trump said. “But no one working for me in any capacity should want to make money. They should just be here to make America great again.”

“Consistent with standard practice, an extensive review of campaign advisory contracts covering Boris, among others, was conducted and completed,” said Steven Cheung, White House communications director. “Now we move forward as a team to help President Trump Make America Great Again.”