The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that Paul Manafort, President Trump's former campaign manager, allegedly offered to provide briefings on the election via email to the Russian billionaire, Oleg Deripaska--an oligarch and longtime trusted ally to the Kremlin.
Two weeks before Trump accepted the Republican candidate nomination, Manafort offered to provide these briefings to an intermediatory in Russia.
His connection to Russia and Deripaska began several years ago when he worked closely with him, according to the report by the Washington Post.
The briefings
However, the emails Manafort handed over to the Robert Mueller's special counsel investigating Russia's influence on the 2016 election provide no evidence that any briefing ever took place. It is currently unclear what would have been or was discussed in these briefings.
According to the article, Jason Maloni, a spokesperson for Manafort, stated no briefings ever took place, and they would have been routine if they had.
Manafort has been under investigation for his ties to Russia for several months now.
Manafort and Deripaska
Before being hired as Trump's campaign manager, Manafort and Deripaska participated in a business relationship stretching back several years.
According to the Washington Post, Manafort was paid as an investment consultant.
However, their relationship was damaged in 2014 when Deripaska accused Manafort of possibly stealing $19 million. The monies were intended to pay for investments and are still unaccounted for.
The case is allegedly still open.
The emails collected by the Russian probe show several conversations between Manafort and Konstantin Kilimnik, a longtime employee to Manafort and liaison to Deripaska, according to the Washington Post article.
Investigators are looking into emails shared between the two due to the code like wording the two men appear to be using. It is speculated they are discussing Deripaska and payments Manafort was hoping to receive from clients.
Last month, Mueller informed Manafort, and his team of attorneys cooperation was necessary, and they were urged to provide all information to the Russian probe.
Mueller and prosecutors believe criminal charges and an indictment could be pressed against Manafort.
Manafort initially stated during the 2016 campaign that he had no ties to the Russian government or any business dealings with them.
