Top German Journalist Received Payments from Putin Ally, Leak Reveals

Hubert Seipel, who wrote favorable books about Putin, allegedly received about 600,000 euros from businesses linked to a sanctioned Russian businessman.

• German journalist Hubert Seipel allegedly received hundreds of thousands of euros from businesses linked to a billionaire ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a leaked cache of offshore financial records.
• The payments, totaling about 600,000 euros (about $651,000), were made in installments from accounts connected to Alexei A. Mordashov, a prominent Russian businessman who was placed under sanctions by the United States last year.
• The payments were reportedly made to support Seipel's books about Putin, which have been criticized for their favorable portrayal of the Russian leader.
• Seipel's German publisher, Hoffmann und Campe, has decided to stop selling his books in light of the allegations.
• German public broadcaster NDR, which has produced work with Seipel in the past, is considering legal action against him and has expressed concern over a significant conflict of interest that casts doubt on Seipel's journalistic independence.

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