A longtime adviser to President-elect Donald Trump is being investigated over allegations he used his proximity to Trump to score payments from those seeking roles or influence in the new administration.

And he scored a nickname along the way.

“He is the good news fairy,” a top Trump adviser told The Washington Post, referring to Boris Epshteyn.

The personnel drama spotlights the unusual and often-disorganized cast of characters around Trump who contributed to the chaos of his first term, some of whom are part of the transition to the second as he looks to build out his administration before he takes office on Jan. 20.

Top Trump attorney David Warrington is reviewing Epshteyn’s conduct, per reports.

Among those Epshteyn is alleged to have sought payments from is Scott Bessent, Trump’s nominee to be treasury secretary. Bessent mounted a months-long campaign to win the job but was opposed by Epshteyn allegedly after the hedge fund executive didn’t agree to pay him a substantial retainer.

Epshteyn isn’t accused of doing anything illegal — securing fees for access to senior government officials is the bread and butter of Washington’s lobbying establishment — but the investigation appeared designed to weaken or eliminate his prominent position within Trump’s orbit. The president-elect has long chafed at those he viewed as using him for their own personal gain.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Stories by Matt Arco

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