Trump's Mammadov Connection

"...the Trump Hotel and Tower in Baku, the capital of oil-rich Azerbaijan. And the story of this particular deal involves an unconventional and controversial business ally. Trump's partner in the venture is Anar Mammadov, a 34-year-old billionaire playboy whose father serves as Azerbaijan's transportation minister. According to media reports and opposition critics in the tiny Caucasian country—which is considered one of the world's most corrupt regimes—Mammadov's wealth has resulted in part from his father's political connections.
"Trump International Hotel & Tower Baku represents the unwavering standard of excellence of The Trump Organization and our involvement in only the best global development projects,"

Trump said when the venture was announced in 2014. "When we open in 2015, visitors and residents will experience a luxurious property unlike anything else in Baku—it will be among the finest in the world."
But Trump has earned lucrative management fees for lending his name and expertise to the project. According to the recent financial disclosure he filed in conjunction with his presidential bid, he received at least $2.5 million last year for his work on the Baku hotel, which will be operated as part of Trump's chain of luxury hotels. A spokeswoman for Trump did not respond to questions about his business relationship with Mammadov.
According to Foreign Policy, the company that Trump is working with also secured the contract to construct the Baku bus station, which Mammadov's uncle owns. A leaked diplomatic cable on Azerbaijan's "most powerful families," drafted in 2010 by the charge d'affairs at the US embassy in Baku, noted: "With so much of the nation's oil wealth being poured into road construction, the Mammadovs also control a significant source of rent-seeking."
Mammadov has demonstrated a keen interest in American politics. He heads the Azerbaijan American Alliance, a group that at one point was registered with the US Department of Justice as a foreign lobbyist.
In 2011, Mammadov himself registered as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agent Registration Act in connection with his work with the alliance. Though he is still featured prominently on the organization's website, Mammadov is no longer listed as a foreign lobbyist. But he still seems to be very keen on courting powerful American politicians. Mammadov's personal website features a gushing recap of the group's Washington gala last November, which he hosted. The event was attended by Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), and Mark Warner (D-Va.)." MotherJones