Report: Billionaire Linked to Russian Oligarchs Is Major Donor to NY Gov. Hochul

A Soviet-born billionaire linked to sanctioned Russian oligarchs reportedly donated the maximum amount to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s (D-NY) campaign, according to the New York Post.

Meanwhile, Hochul said in a social media post on Wednesday officials were “taking aggressive action to ensure the power of the New York economy holds Putin and his oligarchs accountable”

The Post report from Sunday continued:

Len Blavatnik donated $69,700 — the maximum allowed — to Hochul’s election campaign since she took over as governor following Andrew Cuomo’s resignation in August, campaign records filed with the state Board of Elections reveal. Blavatnik, 64, delivered an initial $10,000 to Hochul’s gubernatorial campaign on Nov. 11, then $59,700 on Jan. 12, the filings show.

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Kremlin-connected oligarchs and those who’ve made their fortunes in Russian business deals have come under renewed scrutiny amid Putin’s military invasion of Ukraine. European authorities have seized the yachts of oligarchs in response to the incursion.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during an interview Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union that Putin was “destined to lose” the ongoing war with Ukraine. – READ MORE