Scrutiny Grows Over Habba’s Husband and Kennedy Center Donation
Mildon, who has described himself as 29 and a billionaire, is identified as 25 in documents including a Turkish passport page and a U.S. visa. Former classmates also put his age at 25. The reason for the difference has not been explained. Habba, 42, married him in Manhattan in September, months after their first public appearance as a couple in April.
The couple’s relationship and Mildon’s business dealings have drawn attention amid Habba’s dispute with former Kennedy Center leader Richard Grenell. Habba accused Grenell of failing to pass along a donation from her husband. Grenell denies wrongdoing and says he never received payment from Mildon.
A White House inquiry concluded that a $17.6 million sum at issue originated in a Congolese government account rather than with Mildon, according to people briefed on the inquiry. The money appears to have been directed to a Texas firm associated with Grenell for what U.S. officials describe as a likely software deal for Congo. Mildon declined to comment on the inquiry.
Mildon’s business record is also under scrutiny. Venezuela canceled a contract with his cement company this month after criticizing it for investing 6 percent of the agreed capital; workers and suppliers have described unpaid wages and debts. In Congo, his companies have secured contracts worth more than $500 million, some delayed or unfinished.
Former associates also described a religious marriage last year to María Ceballos, daughter of a Venezuelan military commander. Mildon’s spokesman said it was an engagement. The spokesman rejected claims of misrepresentation and said the scrutiny aimed to damage Mildon’s reputation. A person close to President Donald Trump said Trump does not know him.
Questions About Habba’s Claim Put Trump’s Inner Circle Under Scrutiny
The key question in Habba’s clash with Richard Grenell is not just what was said, but where the money came from. Habba accused the former Kennedy Center leader of failing to pass along a donation from her husband, Turhan Mildon. But people briefed on the White House inquiry said officials concluded that the $17.6 million originated in an account belonging to the Congolese government rather than Mildon.
The money appears to have been directed to a Texas firm associated with Grenell for what U.S. officials describe as a likely software deal for Congo. Grenell denies wrongdoing and says he never received payment from Mildon. The findings put the factual basis of Habba’s accusation at the center of a dispute involving people connected to President Donald Trump.
Mildon’s own public image is facing questions. He has called himself 29 and a billionaire, while documents and former classmates identify him as 25. His spokesman denies misrepresentation and says the scrutiny is intended to harm his reputation.
His business ventures have also encountered difficulties: Venezuela canceled a cement-company contract after criticizing its investment, while workers and suppliers have described unpaid wages and debts. Some of his Congolese contracts, worth more than $500 million, are delayed or unfinished.
The case underscores the need to distinguish an allegation from evidence about the money’s origin. Grenell denies the charge, and Mildon declined to comment on the inquiry. A person close to Trump said the president does not know Mildon.
Habba’s Kennedy Center Accusation Faces Major Questions
Habba’s accusation against Richard Grenell is facing a serious factual challenge: people briefed on a White House inquiry said officials traced $17.6 million to an account belonging to the Congolese government, not to her husband, Turhan Mildon. That finding complicates a claim that has stirred a dispute around the Kennedy Center and Trump’s circle.
Habba accused Grenell, the center’s former leader, of failing to pass along a donation from Mildon. Grenell has denied the accusation, saying he never received a payment from Mildon. The money appears to have been directed to a Texas firm associated with Grenell for what U.S. officials describe as a likely software deal for Congo. Mildon declined to comment on the inquiry.
Scrutiny of Mildon’s personal claims adds another layer. He has described himself as 29 and a billionaire, while documents and former classmates indicate he is 25. His spokesman rejects allegations of misrepresentation and says the attention is an attempt to damage his reputation.
Mildon’s business interests face challenges, too. Venezuela canceled a cement-company contract this month after criticizing its investment, and workers and suppliers have reported unpaid wages and debts. Some of his Congolese contracts, valued at more than $500 million, are delayed or unfinished.
The inquiry’s account and Grenell’s denial should not be treated as proof of misconduct. The White House’s investigation follows Habba’s allegation; a person close to Trump said the president does not know Mildon.
Reported by Raw Story, Daily Mail US.
