LEGAL/RUSSIA INVESTIGATION/TRUMP PEOPLE: “The legal fund aimed at helping President Trump’s associates with fees related to the Russia investigation raised more than $200,000 through the end of June, mostly from a trio of longtime Trump allies, according to new tax filings reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. Half of that money came from California real-estate developer Geoffrey Palmer, a longtime friend of Mr. Trump’s, who gave $100,000 on June 30, the final day of the second-quarter reporting period. Billionaire casino owner Phil Ruffin, another Trump friend, gave $50,000 in April to the fund. Continental Resources Inc. —a gas company owned by billionaire Harold Hamm, who has advised the president on energy policy—gave $25,000 in May. The remaining cash in the second quarter came from donors who gave less than the minimum threshold for disclosure. A separate tax form shows first-quarter contributions totaling $22,000 from a public relations firm led by Mark Serrano, who serves as a spokesman for the legal fund. Mr. Serrano, who made the donations in March, didn’t respond to requests for comment.”
–Julie Bykowicz and Rebecca Ballhaus, “Legal Fund Aiding Trump Associates Raised $180,000 in Second Quarter,” The Wall Street Journal, August 6, 2018 3:30 pm