Russian Millionaire Found Dead in DC Hotel Died From 'Blunt Force Trauma to the Head'
Mikhail Lesin, who died in November, was known to have Kremlin ties.
— -- The cause of death of a Russian media mogul who was found dead in a Washington, D.C., hotel in November has been disclosed after five months.
The D.C. medical examiner announced today that Mikhail Lesin died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head.
Lesin, who was known to have high-level ties to the Kremlin, was found dead inside the DuPont Circle Hotel in early November, authorities said.
The medical examiner's statement, released today, says that he also suffered blunt force injuries to the torso, neck and extremities.
It has not been determined how the millionaire sustained these injuries, however, and the manner of death is still listed as "undetermined."
Lesin is credited with creating Russia Today, the English-language news network backed by the Russian government. Now known as RT, the network “provides an alternative perspective on major global events, and acquaints an international audience with the Russian viewpoint,” according to its website.
Lesin “led the Kremlin’s efforts to censor Russia’s independent television outlets,” one U.S. lawmaker charged last year.
In fact, Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi, called on the Justice Department to launch an investigation into Lesin over allegations of corruption and money laundering.
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