Russian energy giant secretly funded an Alaska gas venture that was discussed in Trump's Ukraine peace talks, ex-boss claims

Joel Riddle, who stepped down as Polar LNG chief executive in September, says he was deceived about the source of the start-up's funding, having been led to believe it came from a UAE company. In fact, the money originated from Novatek, the partially sanctioned Russian energy giant already slated to provide the technology. Last month, Vladimir Putin raised the project with envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Trump lifted Russia sanctions just last week.

Riddle's verdict on the hidden cash: 'It's not only unlawful, but it's not in the U.S. interest.'

Polar LNG says it fired a 'disgruntled' Riddle, but documents show he resigned six days earlier.

Novatek's Denis Solovyov texted Riddle: 'The first 5 million were supposed to arrive by today.'