CNN reports exclusively that Special Counsel Robert Mueller is looking into the possibility that Russian oligarchs illegally funneled money into the Trump campaign and has stopped at least two on recent trips to the United States.
The first, according to CNN, landed his private plane in New York, and investigators searched his electronic devices.
A second Russian oligarch was stopped during a recent trip to the US, although it is not clear if he was searched, according to a person briefed on the matter.
Mueller's team has also made an informal voluntary document and interview request to a third Russian oligarch who has not traveled to the US recently.
The situations have one thing in common: Investigators are asking whether wealthy Russians illegally funneled cash donations directly or indirectly into Donald Trump's presidential campaign and inauguration.
CNN says part of catching the oligarchs while traveling is about leveraging the element of surprise and getting to their phones before they can wipe them clean.
A lot of wealthy Russians are doing business in the United States and can be compelled to cooperate with Mueller's team so as not to jeopardize their finances.
The approach to Russian oligarchs in recent weeks may reflect that Mueller's team has already obtained records or documents that it has legal jurisdiction over and can get easily, one source said, and now it's a "wish list" to see what other information they can obtain from Russians entering the US or through their voluntary cooperation.
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One area under scrutiny, sources say, is investments Russians made in companies or think tanks that have political action committees that donated to the campaign.
Another theory Mueller's office is pursuing, sources said, is whether wealthy Russians used straw donors -- Americans with citizenship -- as a vessel through which they could pump money into the campaign and inauguration fund.
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Another source added that Mueller's investigators have asked about a handful of American citizens who were born in former Soviet states and maintain ties with those countries. This person said the inquiry appeared focused on Republican fundraising and how money flows into US politics. ABC News reported in September that Mueller's team has asked questions about the timing of contributions from US citizens with ties to Russia, citing a Republican campaign aide interviewed by Mueller's team.
CNN also says there is no indication, so far, of any connection between these oligarchs and the 13 Russian nationals Mueller already indicted.
Exclusive: Mueller's team questioning Russian oligarchs (CNN)