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Jared Kushner failed to disclose emails about Russian overtures, Senate investigation reveals

Mr Kushner also allegedly received emails about WIkiLeaks while on the campaign trail

Emily Shugerman
New York
Thursday 16 November 2017 18:29 EST
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White House Senior adviser Jared Kushner attends bilateral meetings held by US President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping
White House Senior adviser Jared Kushner attends bilateral meetings held by US President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping (Thomas Peter-Pool/Getty Images)

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Jared Kushner received emails about WikiLeaks and a “Russian backdoor overture and dinner invite” during the 2016 campaign, members of the Senate Judiciary Committee have claimed.

Committee chairman Chuck Grassley and ranking Democrat Dianne Feinstein claim there are “several documents that are known to exist but were not included” in the emails Mr Kushner turned over to them. The committee previously asked for copies of Mr Kushner’s emails related to their investigation of Russian meddling in the US election.

Among the missing documents were a September 2016 email to Mr Kushner concerning WikiLeaks and documents concerning а "Russian backdoor overture and dinner invite” – both of which Mr Kushner forwarded to other campaign officials, according to the letter. Also missing were correspondences with Sergei Millian, the head of a Russian-American business group, on which Mr Kushner was copied.

The Senators said they became aware of these emails after they were released by “other parties” – presumably, the officials to which Mr Kushner forwarded them. They asked that the requested documents be delivered by 27 November.

Mr Kushner’s lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The claims come days after Donald Trump Jr – the President’s son, and another member of the campaign team – admitted that he had corresponded with WikiLeaks during the election. Twitter messages first published by The Atlantic show WikiLeaks pressed Donald Trump's oldest son to promote their work, and occasionally to dig for information. Mr Trump Jr appears to have complied on a handful of occasions.

The Judiciary Committee letter also claims Mr Kushner declined to turn over documents related to his security clearance form, which he was required to re-submit multiple times due to omissions. The Senators said they would accept his offer of viewing the documents in his office.

Background check chief has 'never seen' mistakes and omissions at level of Jared Kushner forms

The committee is also waiting on Mr Kushner to produce transcribed versions of his testimonies before other Congressional committees. Mr Kushner testified in front of both the House and Senate Intelligence Committees in July.

At the time, Mr Kushner told reporters he did not collude with Russia, not know of anyone in the campaign who did.

“Since the first questions were raised in March, I have been consistent in saying I was eager to share whatever information I have with investigating bodies, and I have done so today,’’ he said. “All of my actions were proper.’’

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