Pascrell Won't Let Up on Prokhorov

Not satisfied with the NBA's support--and Mikhail Prokhorov's denials--on dealings with Zimbabwe, Congressman William Pascrell has now raised the spectre of ties to the Russian mafia.

In another letter to NBA Commissioner David Stern, Pascrell suggests that Dmitry Kluyev, convicted of financial crimes in 2006, is a "business partner" of a Prokhorov firm, Renaissance Capital, and had "regular dealings with senior Renaissance executives."  Pascrell has long opposed the Nets move to Brooklyn, even before Prokhorov agreed to purchase the team.

Problem is that Prokhorov didn't buy his stake in Renaissance until more than three years after Kluyev supposedly had his dealings with the company. 

In a statement to the Financial Times, Prokhorov and his holding company, Onexim, said "Renaissance Capital has not been accused of any wrongdoing, has not been charged with any crime and has not been named in any lawsuit relating to the matter, but was asked to provide information, which it has."

US officials have said they are unaware of any links between Prokhorov and the Russian mafia

• Congressman parries bid for basketball team - Catherine Belton - Financial Times