Newsweek: NY Bank Regulator Scrutinizes Kushner

Jared Kushner, senior adviser and son-in-law to the US president, confronts charges of conflict of interest on numerous fronts. New York’s banking regulator is requesting details on loans to Kushner, his real estate company and family members from three banker including Deutsche Bank, reports Newsweek. This follows a New York Times report that Kushner received loans after meeting with top officials from two other banks in the White House. In addition, the Washington Post reported that Kushner lost top security clearance after intelligence reports emerged that representatives of at least four countries – China, Israel, UAE and Mexico – had refused to meet with experienced government personnel and targeted Kushner as an easy mark for their foreign policy goals. Kushner left his position as CEO in January 2017 and divested some assets to work for the White House, but the Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles suggest that the adviser is compromised and should resign. A Kushner Companies spokesperson described the inquiries as “harassment solely for political reasons.” Special Counsel Robert Mueller is investigating Russian interference in the US presidential campaign, and that puts finances and Russian contacts of White House personnel under a spotlight. – YaleGlobal