A former business partner of Trump adviser Alex Bruesewitz alleges that the digital strategist received cash and luxury accommodations from foreign individuals while pursuing business relationships with interests seeking access to U.S. officials.

The claims appear in a court filing submitted Monday by Derek Utley, who co-founded digital firm X Strategies with Bruesewitz in 2017. The company sued Utley in September, alleging that he embezzled and gambled away millions of dollars.

Utley denies those allegations, calling the lawsuit a “marketing ploy masquerading as a federal lawsuit.” His countersuit claims he was fired without cause after requesting medical leave. X Strategies’ original suit alleged that Utley submitted fake medical records to obtain six months of paid leave before he was fired.

Bruesewitz helped shape President Donald Trump’s 2024 digital strategy, and X Strategies maintains the Trump War Room and Team Trump accounts on X. Utley’s filing alleges that Bruesewitz concealed financial relationships with people associated with Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Syria.

The filing claims, on information and belief, that Bruesewitz received approximately $500,000 from individuals associated with Qatar for an undisclosed business or consulting arrangement. It does not explicitly allege that he exchanged political access for payments, and it provides no supporting documentation for its claims.

Utley also alleges that Bruesewitz sought a $1 million annual advisory fee from a Copenhagen-based investment firm for services including access to U.S. officials, federal agencies and financial institutions. The filing says the circumstances raise questions about potential obligations under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which requires disclosures for certain activities on behalf of foreign interests.

In addition, Utley claims Bruesewitz told him that two Syrian billionaires paid for a Maldives honeymoon stay in a suite that ordinarily cost $15,000 a night.

Bruesewitz’s lawyer, Bradford Cohen, denied the allegations, calling them “either untrue, exaggerated, or completely fabricated.” He said his client would vigorously defend against them.

In a June interview with Tucker Carlson, Bruesewitz said he did not take foreign money and described countering foreign influence as a “passion project.” Utley and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.