Turhan Mildon, a Turkish businessman who wed Trump’s former lawyer Alina Habba this year, is drawing scrutiny over how he describes his age, wealth and connections, The New York Times reports.
The attention follows Habba’s accusation at the White House this month that Richard Grenell diverted money from a philanthropic donation she said her husband made to the Kennedy Center.
According to The Times, citing people briefed on the White House inquiry, officials concluded a central part of her account was wrong: the $17.6 million came from a Congolese government account, not Mildon. The Times reported that the money seems to have been paid to a Texas company linked to Grenell for what U.S. officials say looks like a software deal for Congo. Grenell denies wrongdoing, and Mildon wouldn’t comment on the investigation.
Mildon has said he is 29 and a billionaire. But The Times says documents and former classmates indicate he is 25. It also says several ex-associates report a religious marriage last year to a Venezuelan commander’s daughter, which his spokesman characterizes as only an engagement.
The Times reports his Venezuelan businesses are under strain. In June the government criticized his cement company for investing only 6 percent of the agreed capital, and this month it canceled the contract. Workers and suppliers report unpaid wages and debts. In Congo, he has won contracts worth more than $500 million, but several are delayed or unfinished.
A person close to Trump says the president doesn’t know Mildon. Mildon’s spokesman denies any misrepresentation and calls the reporting an effort to damage his reputation.
The feud between Habba and Grenell has reportedly caused Habba to fall from standing at the White House.