Paul Manafort charged over Russia probe: Donald Trump's former campaign manager charged with conspiracy against US

Probe: Paul Manafort (left) arriving at FBI Field Office in Washington DC
CNN
Chloe Chaplain30 October 2017

Donald Trump's former campaign chief and his business associate have been indicted on charges of conspiracy against the US in the probe relating to alleged Russian involvement in the Presidential election.

Former Trump strategist Paul Manafort and associate Rick Gates handed themselves in to the FBI on Monday, the New York Times reported.

The total charges against them include 12 counts, including conspiracy to launder money, failing to register as a foreign agent, false statements, and multiple counts of failing to file reports for foreign bank accounts.

The Times had reported that both had been told to surrender to authorities and, on Monday morning, pictures emerged of Manafort leaving his home in Virginia before arriving at the FBI office in Washington with his lawyer.

Paul Manafort (L) covers his face as he leaves his home in a SUV from the parking garage
EPA

Manafort had been under investigation for violations relating to tax, money laundering and foreign lobbying.

These mark the first charges in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into potential coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign.

Mueller was appointed in May to lead the Justice Department's investigation into whether the Kremlin worked with associates of the Trump campaign to tip the 2016 presidential election.

The White House has declined to comment on the developments.

Investigation: Paul Manafort
AP

Manafort joined the Trump campaign in March 2016 and was promoted to chairman and chief strategist.

But he was fired months later after it emerged he received millions in undisclosed payments from former Ukrainian president and a pro-Russia politician Viktor Yanukovych.

He has been one of Mr Mueller's prime targets since the start of the probe. Earlier this year, FBI agents raided his home, searching for tax and international banking records

He has been a subject of a long-standing FBI investigation into his dealings in Ukraine and work for the country's former president, Viktor Yanukovych. That investigation was incorporated into Mr Mueller's broader probe.

Gates was Manafort's chief deputy and a key player from Mr Trump's campaign who survived Manafort's removal last summer.

Two weeks ago, Gates was still working for Tom Barrack, a Trump confidant, helping with the inauguration committee's campaign account.

The pair surrendered to federal authorities in Washington, and are expected in court later on Monday to face charges brought by Mr Mueller's team, according to a source.

Mr Mueller's grand jury has also heard evidence about a June 2016 meeting at Trump Tower attended by a Russian lawyer as well as Manafort, Donald Trump Jr, and the president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

The FBI special counsel's spokesman put out a statement on Monday saying: "Paul J. Manafort, Jr., 68, of Alexandria, Va., and Richard W. Gates III, 45, of Richmond, Va., have been indicted by a federal grand jury on Oct. 27, 2017, in the District of Columbia.

"The indictment contains 12 counts: conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading FARA statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts."

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in

MORE ABOUT