Scoop: Top House Democrat launches investigation into Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding

The top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee is investigating a Russian oligarch's reported financial involvement in a celebration related to Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding, Axios has learned.Why it matters: Garcia is poised to be Congress' lead investigator if Democrats retake the House. This probe offers a pretty good hint of the direction he'll go in that role."Oversight Democrats are investigating the numerous ways in which the Trump family have sought to enrich themselves on the basis of their proximity to President Donald Trump," Garcia stated in a letter to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.In a separate letter to Trump Jr., Garcia wrote that ProPublica's reporting on Russian oligarch Umar Kremlev's role in funding the event "may be the most serious allegation against you to date."Driving the news: Kremlev, the president of the International Boxing Association, provided hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of expenses for the May party in the Bahamas, according to ProPublica.Kremlev is close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and his boxing organization is financed by Russian state-owned energy company Gazprom.The oligarch paid for one of the two private islands where the event was held and a fireworks show, according to ProPublica, despite Trump Jr.'s estimated $300 million net worth.A Trump Jr. spokesperson did not dispute the payments to ProPublica, telling the outlet Kremlev is "a personal friend of Don," but "not someone he has a business relationship with."Kremlev's press office told ProPublica the two met "a couple of years ago" and "have a friendly relationship," and that he has "never discussed political matters with any of his American friends and acquaintances."Trump Jr.'s wife, Bettina Anderson, said in a statement on Instagram that it is "unfortunate that something so personal and happy can be recast as something political or sinister," adding, "Friendship doesn't require a political motive." President Trump said in a statement to Axios shared by the White House press office that he has "no idea who Umar is, never heard of him, and he didn't pay for Don and Bettina's wedding, which took place at a totally different location, and on a different day from the wedding.""It was an 'afterparty' given in their honor. Not a big deal! I was not present at the party," he added.A representative for Trump Jr. did not respond to a request for comment, nor did Kremlev.The latest: In his letter to Wiles, Garcia wrote that he wants all "documents, records, and communications between the White House and Mr. Donald Trump, Jr., concerning Mr. Umar Kremlev," including any warnings about his ties to Putin.He asked whether Trump Jr. has a security clearance, whether he disclosed his ties to Kremlev to the White House, and if President Trump's absence from the ceremony was related to the oligarch's involvement."Any possible foreign entanglement deserves close scrutiny," Garcia wrote, citing reports that Trump Jr. is a key political advise