According to Federal Election Commission (FEC) records, Matthew Colangelo, the lead prosecutor in Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s case against former President Donald Trump, received a total of $12,000 from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) in 2018. These funds were categorized as “political consulting” and were disbursed in two separate payments of $6,000 each on January 31 of that year. It is worth noting that Matthew Colangelo, who previously served as President Joe Biden’s acting associate attorney general and worked in the Department of Justice (DOJ), joined the Manhattan District Attorney’s office as senior counsel in December 2022.

Due to a gag order imposed by Judge Juan Merchan, Trump is prohibited from discussing Colangelo. This order restricts the former president from speaking about the prosecutors involved in the case, except for Bragg. Colangelo assumed the position in 2022 while Bragg was still conducting an investigation into Trump’s alleged payment of $130,000 to porn star Stormy Daniels in order to maintain her silence about an alleged affair. In April, Colangelo presented the prosecution’s opening statements, contending that Trump had falsified business documents related to the payment as part of a broader scheme to “corrupt the 2016 election.”

“It was election fraud, pure and simple,” Colangelo said.

Trump has consistently portrayed the situation as “election interference,” labeling it a “Biden witch hunt” and the “Biden Case.” Rep. Jim Jordan, the House Judiciary Chairman, penned a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland on Tuesday concerning Colangelo. In the letter, Jordan requested documents and communications from Colangelo’s time at the DOJ, specifically focusing on personnel files regarding his hiring, employment, and termination. Additionally, Jordan sought records and correspondences linked to Trump or his organization.

“Bragg is engaged in one such politicized prosecution, which is being led in part by Matthew B. Colangelo, a former senior Justice Department official. Accordingly, given the perception that the Justice Department is assisting in Bragg’s politicized prosecution, we write to request information and documents related to Mr. Colangelo’s employment,” Jordan wrote.

During his time at the New York District Attorney’s office, Colangelo spearheaded the inquiry into the Trump Foundation, leading to its disbandment. He also oversaw the investigation that later evolved into Trump’s civil fraud lawsuit, as reported by The New York Times. The DNC and Bragg have yet to provide a response to the request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.