Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a staunch political ally of Hillary and Bill Clinton, is being investigated by the FBI about questionable donations to his campaign for governor, multiple news sites reported.
The Department of Justice's public integrity unit is looking at McAuliffe's time as a member of the Clinton Global Initiative and for donations made to his campaign for governor, a source said, according to
CBS News.
McAuliffe's attorney Marc Elias said in a statement that the governor has not been approached about the investigation yet, reported
Fox News.
Authorities are taking a closer look at $120,000 from Chinese businessman Wang Wengliang who was born in China and is currently a permanent U.S. resident, said CBS News.
Wang has also pledged $2 million to the Clinton Global Initiative and has given to other causes, including New York University, Harvard, and environmental issues in Florida, reported
CNN, while noting that the Clinton foundation is not part of the investigation.
"Foreign nationals are prohibited from making any contributions or expenditures in connection with any election in the U.S. … [but] 'green card' holders (i.e., individuals lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the U.S.) are not considered foreign nationals and, as a result, may contribute," CBS News quoted the Federal Election Commission website.
McAuliffe is the second Virginia governor to become a target of a federal investigation. Former Gov. Bob McDonnel was convicted of corruption charges related to $175,000 in loans and gifts he received from a donor and friend, noted CNN, although it appears his appeal may succeed.
"Neither the governor nor his former campaign has knowledge of this matter, but as reported, contributions to the campaign from Mr. Wang were completely lawful," Elias said in his statement per Fox News. "The Governor will certainly cooperate with the government if he is contacted about it."
McAuliffe, a longtime Democratic fundraiser, edged former Virginia attorney general Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II for the governor's spot in November 2013 with the help of Democratic-leaning Washington suburbs, noted
The New York Times then.