Jason Leopold

Jason Leopold is a senior investigative reporter for BuzzFeed News and is based in Los Angeles. He is a 2018 Pulitzer finalist for international reporting, recipient of the IRE 2016 FOI award and a 2016 Newseum Institute National Freedom of Information Hall of Fame inductee.

Contact this reporter at jason.leopold@buzzfeed.com

These Secret Files Show How The Trump Moscow Talks Unfolded While Trump Heaped Praise On Putin

Ahead of Michael Cohen’s testimony, read the original paper trail behind the campaign to build Europe’s tallest tower in Moscow — and how it played out alongside Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.

Azeen Ghorayshi • 13 days ago

A Lobbyist At The Trump Tower Meeting Received Half A Million Dollars In Suspicious Payments

A bank flagged transactions, including large cash deposits, made before and after Rinat Akhmetshin attended the 2016 Trump Tower meeting.

Emma Loop • 13 days ago

President Trump Directed His Attorney Michael Cohen To Lie To Congress About The Moscow Tower Project

Trump received 10 personal updates from Michael Cohen and encouraged a planned meeting with Vladimir Putin. Update: The office of the special counsel is disputing BuzzFeed News’ report.

Jason Leopold • One month ago

Russian Agents Sought Secret US Treasury Records On Clinton Backers During 2016 Campaign

Whistleblowers said the Americans were exchanging messages with unsecure Gmail accounts set up by their Russian counterparts as the US election heated up.

Anthony Cormier • One month ago

An Inquest Into A Russian Whistleblower’s Death Has Found No Evidence Of Murder After A Bungled Police Investigation

“There is nothing that points specifically toward poisoning,” the judge said, but “equally, there is nothing specific that points away from poison.”

Jane Bradley • 2 months ago

The Trump Organization Planned To Give Vladimir Putin The $50 Million Penthouse In Trump Tower Moscow

During the presidential campaign, Michael Cohen discussed the matter with a representative of Putin’s press secretary, according to two US sources.

Anthony Cormier • 2 months ago

Here’s The Classified Letter About Russia That Senate Democrats Sent To Obama After Trump Was Elected

“We have serious concerns about information recently provided to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence regarding Russian Active Measures and election related cyber activity associated with the Russian intelligence services.”

Jason Leopold • 3 months ago

The FBI Says It Can’t Find The “100 Pictures” Trump Said He Has Of James Comey And Robert Mueller Hugging And Kissing

“He’s Comey’s best friend. And I could give you 100 pictures of him and Comey hugging and kissing each other.”

Salvador Hernandez • 3 months ago

A Senior NSA Official Engaged In Abusive Behavior Toward Women, An Inspector General Report Finds

“Subsequent to being disciplined, he did not cease his misconduct,” an NSA inspector general report said.

Jason Leopold • 4 months ago

John Kelly Called Elizabeth Warren An "Impolite Arrogant Woman" In An Email

“blah blah blah,” Kelly, then serving as the secretary of homeland security, wrote.

Jason Leopold • 4 months ago

Here’s How A Major Western Bank Enabled A Suspected Russian Money Launderer

Documents show TD Bank loaned $3 million to a company connected to Russian tax fraud and later linked to the special counsel’s investigation.

Azeen Ghorayshi • 4 months ago

This Russian Double Agent Is A Lot Less Dead Than He Seemed

The Kremlin wanted people to believe their defector was dead. The US did, too. But Alexander Poteyev couldn’t help himself.

Alex Campbell • 4 months ago

The Planners Of The Trump Tower Meeting Moved Millions, And Mueller Is Now Investigating

Documents show suspicious transfers began six days before the controversial meeting.

Anthony Cormier • 4 months ago

A Series Of Suspicious Money Transfers Followed The Trump Tower Meeting

Investigators are focused on two bursts of banking activity — one shortly after the June 2016 meeting, the other immediately after the presidential election.

Anthony Cormier • 5 months ago

Here's Why The FBI And Mueller Are Investigating "Suspicious" Transactions By Russian Diplomats

The former Russian ambassador received a salary payment twice as large as past years, and bankers blocked a $150,000 withdrawal.

Jason Leopold • 5 months ago

In An Unprecedented Move, The US Postal Service Released A Former CIA Officer’s Security Application To A Republican Group

The former officer, Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger, has suggested the information was released for partisan purposes.

Grace Wyler • 5 months ago

Senate Intel Wants To Follow The Money In The Russia Probe. But Treasury Isn't Making That Easy.

Last year, staff inside Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network questioned whether the department was deliberately trying to stymie the Senate’s investigation.

Emma Loop • 6 months ago

GOP Operative Made "Suspicious" Cash Withdrawals During Pursuit Of Clinton Emails

Peter W. Smith withdrew $4,900 in cash the day after he finalized a plan to work with “dark web” hackers.

Jason Leopold • 6 months ago

New Documents From Kavanaugh’s Time In The Bush White House Show He Worked On Key Questions Of Presidential Power

Heavily redacted documents obtained by BuzzFeed News through a FOIA request provide insight into Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s time as a lawyer for George W. Bush.

Chris Geidner • 6 months ago