Soon-to-be New Jersey Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov is hosting Russian leader Vladimir Putin at his $30 million French Alps chalet as a thank you for officially clearing his name.
The billionaire Russian invited Putin to stay at his chalet in Courchevel after the Russian prime minister secured an apology from French authorities for dragging Prokhorov’s name into a prostitution scandal.
Now Prokhorov — Russia’s richest man — and Putin have returned to celebrate in the same resort where the false claims were made, and to ski on mountains that will be closed to the public amid tight security.
A source told Page Six: “Putin arrived on Saturday with an entourage of 100 people. He is staying at Prokhorov’s chalet, which is surrounded by a ring of tight security.
“Prokhorov invited him as a thank you for officially clearing his name. It is intended to be a very secret and private visit.”
Our source continued: “Putin is also a very keen skier, and entire runs and lifts will be closed for him. He and Prokhorov are so close that Putin is rumored to be lining him up for a political role. At the very least, we expect to be seeing Putin on the sidelines at a Nets game.”
Prokhorov, worth about $9.5 billion, was arrested in January 2007 in Courchevel as he celebrated the new year with friends and some beautiful young women. He was held in a Lyon jail for four days over allegations that he hired Russian hookers for his guests.
He was cleared of all charges and blasted the “ludicrous accusations which damaged my reputation.” He later launched a lawsuit against the French government and demanded an apology, which came last month during a meeting between French and Russian officials, led by Putin.
Last month, Prokhorov signed formal contracts to buy a controlling stake in the Nets, a move to be voted on by the NBA board of governors early this year. A rep for Prokhorov could not be reached.