A close associate of Putin allegedly financed expenses amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars at Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding.

Umar Kremlev, a Russian businessman considered close to Vladimir Putin, allegedly financed Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding, held in May in the Bahamas, with hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to a ProPublica investigation based on documents and interviews. Kremlev allegedly paid to rent one of the two private islands used to accommodate guests and host the reception, where costs can reach approximately $100,000 per night. He also allegedly covered a fireworks display estimated at $70,000. The money was reportedly transferred through a Dubai-based entity affiliated with the International Boxing Association, led by Kremlev.

The wedding had approximately 18 guests, while the three-day party brought together around 50 people. A representative of Trump Jr. said that Kremlev is his “personal friend.” Kremlev leads the IBA, an organization previously financed by Gazprom, and recently received the Order of Friendship from Vladimir Putin. Several Russian citizens also allegedly attended the event. Former U.S. counterintelligence officials warned that paying personal expenses can create relationships of dependence and facilitate access to a president’s family.