One of Donald Trump’s closest advisers Boris Epshteyn solicited political candidates, a defense contractor and at least one potential Cabinet nominee for lucrative consulting contracts at the same time he was being paid by the Trump campaign and advising the president-elect on legal matters, nominations and political communications, according to interviews and documents reviewed by Just the News.

One of those who was pitched by Epshteyn for both a consulting contract and an investment opportunity was Scott Bessent, the hedge fund manager named Friday night by Trump as his nominee for Treasury secretary. Bessent rejected the overtures and eventually, when asked, reported concerns about them to the Trump transition team, including Vice President-elect JD Vance.

Trump late last week ordered an internal inquiry into the consulting arrangements of Ephsteyn and other contractors to be conducted by lawyer David Warrington with the results to be delivered to his incoming chief of staff Susie Wiles, Just the News has learned.

Warrington served as general counsel for the Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Committee and as counsel for the 2016 Trump Campaign to the Credentials, Platform, and Rules Committees at the Republican National Convention.