Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe is under investigation by the FBI and Justice Department regarding whether donations to his 2013 gubernatorial campaign violated federal election laws, CNN reported Monday.
Officials briefed on the matter said McAuliffe has been under investigation since at least 2015, although investigators did not inform the governor he was under investigation, according to CNN.
Chinese businessman Wang Wenliang’s $120,000 donation to McAuliffe’s campaign through his American businesses is one donation that has been scrutinized, CNN reported.
Wang has previously served in China’s National People's Congress.
According to the Federal Election Commission, federal law “prohibits any foreign national from contributing, donating or spending funds in connection with any federal, state or local election in the United States, either directly or indirectly.”
CNN reported Wang is a U.S. permanent resident, however, and can lawfully donate to American elections.
McAuliffe campaign attorney Marc Elias told CNN McAuliffe will cooperate with federal investigators should the governor be contacted.
Regarding Wang, Elias also told CNN the governor and his campaign have no knowledge about the matter, although the campaign contributions were “completely lawful.”
CNN reported the investigation is “active and ongoing.”
McAuliffe is not the first Virginia governor to be investigated by federal authorities. Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell is facing corruption charges for accepting more than $177,000 in gifts and loans from Star Scientific executive Jonnie R. Williams, Sr. in exchange for McDonnell’s promotion of the company’s dietary product, Anatabloc.
McDonnell’s case is currently pending a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court.
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