Longtime Republican operative Peter Smith raised at least $100,000 to obtain what he thought were emails stolen from Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonDemocratic groups using Bloomberg money to launch M in Spanish language ads in Florida The Hill's Campaign Report: Presidential polls tighten weeks out from Election Day More than 50 Latino faith leaders endorse Biden MORE in the run-up to the 2016 presidential election, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal on Sunday.

The Journal last year reported Smith's attempts to obtain Clinton's deleted emails from hackers in the weeks running up to the 2016 election.

The paper reported Sunday that Smith gained $100,000 from at least four backers and contributed $50,000 of his own money toward the effort.

The donations were made in the name of a Washington scholarship fund for Russian students, according to the Journal. The newspaper could not determine whether the scholarship fund existed.

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However, the donations were referenced in an email titled "Wire Instructions—Clinton Email Reconnaissance Initiative" that the Journal reviewed in an account used by Smith.

The Journal reported that it could not determine who sent the email, as many people had access to the Gmail account.

Smith's attempts to gain Clinton's emails have come under scrutiny as special counsel Robert Mueller Robert (Bob) MuellerCNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill's 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MORE probes alleged collusion between the 2016 Trump campaign and Russia.

Smith believed the emails were hacked by Russians and in recruiting help for his effort reportedly claimed a connection to President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE's former national security adviser, Michael Flynn.

Smith, the White House and an official for Trump’s campaign all denied that Smith worked for them during his attempt to obtain the emails, according to the Journal.

Smith died after detailing his work to the Journal last year.