A woman who was forced to turn down a senior job with the Trump administration after she was accused of plagiarism, is working for a well-connected Ukrainian billionaire.

Moncia Crowley, a one-time Fox News analyst, was obliged to turn down a post as a communications official with the national security council, after a number of cases of alleged plagiarism came to light. These included part of 2012 book, as well as her 2000 Columbia University PhD dissertation.

Now it has emerged she is providing “outreach services” to Ukrainian steel magnate Victor Pinchuk, one of that country’s richest men and the son-in-law of Leonid Kuchma, a former president who was implicated in corruption.

The Daily Beast said Ms Crowley told the Justice Department’s National Security Division that she will represent Mr Pinchuk in discussions with US government officials “and other policy makers” regarding “issues of concern” to the billionaire.

Mr Trump originally stood by Ms Crowley, calling the accusations of plagiarism “politically motivated”. Last week, she made the same comment in an interview with Fox News.

“What happened to me was a despicable straight-up political hit job,” she said. “It’s been debunked, my editor has completely supported me and backed me up.”

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Mr Pinchuk wrote about the eastern Ukraine conflict in the Wall Street Journal last year, urging his countrymen to consider “painful compromises for peace” including backing away from potential NATO or European Union membership.

Ms Crowley will work with Fox News Democratic contributor Doug Schoen, a registered Democrat who often takes political views at odds with his party.

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Observers have pointed out that Ms Crowley’s claim that her editors backed her are not correct. HarperCollins withdrew the digital edition of her book What the (Bleep) Just Happened?, as allegations mounted.

When she stood down in January, Ms Crowely did not mention the plagiarism controversy

“After much reflection, I have decided to remain in New York to pursue other opportunities and will not be taking a position in the incoming administration,” she said.