The Associated Press reported on Thursday that the former Trump campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, is the subject of a United States Department of Treasury probe into a "federal anti-corruption probe into his work in Eastern Europe." He was the manager that succeeded Corey Lewandowski and is credited with bringing some life back into the Trump campaign. He is also rumored to be at the center of the Trump campaign ties to Russia by the FBI.
An anonymous source, who was not authorized to discuss this criminal investigation, told the Associate Press that Paul Manafort's banking transactions were turned over to the Treasury agents in Cyprus at the request of the agency.
The nation of Cyprus and its Attorney General were made aware of the situation and investigation.
The unpaid Trump campaign chairman has been the leading focus of the U.S. government probing into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia's meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Mr. Manafort was fired by Trump last August and replaced with Kellyanne Conway.
BREAKING: US Treasury agents obtained information about ex-Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort's offshore financial activities pic.twitter.com/BPIgMnwIH9
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 23, 2017
It was this firing that also resulted in Stephan Bannon being brought in as a political strategist to Trump, effectively becoming the de facto campaign manager.
Just this past week, the AP also reported Mr. Manoforts's secret work meant to advance the interests of Russian strongman Vladimir Putin after the ouster of Ukrainian and pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych.
Paul Manafort's rise and fall in the Trump campaign: https://t.co/JWlzOnPR5k pic.twitter.com/doWXRIzgwA
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) March 23, 2017
Paul Manafort in trouble once again for lobbying a foreign government
Blasting News reported on August 17 that Mr.
Manafort secretly routed more than $2 million to Washington, D.C. lobbying firms several years ago in order to influence U.S. policy toward Russia and the Russian-backed government in the Ukraine in 2012. His name was also listed in handwritten ledgers listing that he received 22 payments of $12.7 million from the former Russian-backed leader of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych.
The charge at the time in the AP report was that Mr. Manfort failed to report to the Department of Justice as a lobbyist for a foreign government. The activity was not illegal, but failure to report the activity is illegal according to the AP. The violation could be punished by up to five years in prison and a hefty fine.
The charge at the time in the AP report was that Mr. Manfort failed to report to the Department of Justice as a lobbyist for a foreign government. The activity was not illegal, but failure to report the activity is illegal according to the AP. The violation could be punished by up to five years in prison and a hefty fine.
Drip, drip, drip of charges begin anew with Paul Manafort at the center
At the time, there was a drip, drip, drip of charges against Mr. Manafort and it took away focus from the campaign. Ironically, there is another "Manafort drip, drip, drip" and it is causing the White House many headaches. The distraction has hurt the attempts to pass "Trumpcare" through the House, which may come to a vote on Thursday night.