CNN is citing unnamed sources who briefed "federal officials" who said that Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe is under investigation by the FBI.
CNN says the probe has also reached into the Clinton Foundation, but there is no allegation that the foundation did anything improper. Instead, they report that the investigation has focused on McAuliffe and the electoral campaign donations, according to these "unnamed officials."
CNN was unable to reach the FBI or the DOJ for comment, relying instead upon the reports which likely came from staffers for people like Congressman Issa and Trey Gowdy.
Apparently, the focus of the investigation is a donation of $120,000 from Chinese businessman Wang Wenliang, via his businesses located in the United States. Wang is a legal resident of the United States, and as such, appears to be entitled to make campaign donations without breaking the law.
Neither McAuliffe or Wenliang had been contacted by the FBI, so it's unclear what the scope and focus of this investigation is, beyond perhaps, a strategically timed leak in a game of Republican revenge.
If any facts actually emerge, I'll post updates. For the moment, this appears to be a strategic political leak from Republicans in Congress.
Perhaps they hope to take the heat off the actually corrupt Republican governor in their state, Bob McDonnell.
Update:
People have suggested that perhaps it's revenge for restoring felons' voting rights. Perhaps. Or perhaps it's just what Charlie Pierce says:
This is the classic Whitewater technique for what we can call a "foundational leak." You claim to be investigating something unrelated to either Clinton, but you make sure the name "Clinton" is in there somewhere. Smoke, fire, you know. That's how Jim Guy Tucker ended up in jail while Kenneth Starr's gumshoes were running rampant in Arkansas, an eventuality that always is cited while talking about the "trail of corruption" behind the Clintons even though it didn't have fck-all to do with them. Oh, and it helps if you can toss some foreigners into the pot once it's boiling.
CNN, by the way, made themselves relevant back in the 90s with the OJ and Clinton firestorms. It's no surprise to see them going there again.
