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Caught Our Eye

Ex-Rep. and Trump ally lobbying for Ukrainian oligarch

Posted by Keturah Hetrick on Aug. 2, 2017

Igor Kolomoisky, a Ukrainian oligarch whose long list of enemies includes Russian President Vladimir Putin, has picked up an unexpected ally: John Sweeney, former congressman (R-N.Y.) and counsel to Donald Trump's transition team.

Sweeney, a founding partner at SMW Partners, is the sole lobbyist listed on a recent lobbying filing. SMW Partners is contracting with Marks and Sokolov, a law firm with offices in Philadelphia and Moscow, to lobby on Kolomoisky's behalf on "business issues related to investments in the U.S.," according to the form.

Kolomoisky is one of Ukraine's wealthiest citizens. During a stint as governor of Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Kolomoisky self-funded private militias to fight pro-Russian forces. Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko removed the billionaire from office soon after.